Jailed Muskogee Police Officer Attempts Suicide, Sheriff Says

A jailed Muskogee police officer remains under suicide watch after attempting to take his own life, Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson confirmed to News On 6.

Mark Ridley, 39, was arrested early Thursday morning for kidnapping, sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

He was charged with the crimes on Friday in Muskogee County District Court.

1/30/2014 Related Story: Muskogee Police Officer Arrested For Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

Ridley is a 17-year veteran officer with the Muskogee Police Department. When he was arrested this week, he already was on administrative leave from the force because of an alleged incident from December involving the same woman.

According to a court affidavit, Ridley rammed the woman's car with his pickup, causing her to run off the road. He then allegedly forced her at gunpoint to get into his vehicle and drive back to his residence in Oktaha, the Muskogee Phoenix reports.

Pearson said the suicide attempt took place on Thursday "sometime before lunch."

The sheriff said Ridley was already in protective isolation due to his career in law enforcement. He has a dislocated shoulder, and deputies were watching on surveillance video when he removed his shoulder brace and used the elastic strap to try and hang himself, Pearson said.

Deputies rushed to the cell to thwart the attempt, and Ridley was not injured, according to the sheriff.