Wartrace man attacked in home

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
By David Melson

Authorities are searching for an invader who attacked a Wartrace man Friday night in his home.

John Smith suffered head lacerations requiring 60 stitches while fending off the intruder who entered his Church Street residence shortly after midnight, the Bedford County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday.

"He said he was in his bedroom and heard the back door of his residence break open," Deputy Jimmy Rhodes said. "He got up and a white man wearing a blue winter coat had entered. The man then began to beat him in the head."

Authorities said Smith was unable to tell if he was struck by an object or the intruder's hands.

Smith told Rhodes he fought back and attempted to grab the man and take him to the nearby home of his brother.

The intruder ran from the home after Smith lost his grip and was last seen running down railroad tracks near the home, Rhodes said.

Smith went to the home of his brother, Charles Smith, who took him to Heritage Medical Center where he was treated for the head cuts and hand injuries, according to Rhodes.

Detective Sgt. Scott Jones and Detective Sgt. David Sakich arrived at the home at 2:27 a.m. and searched the area for the intruder without success, Rhodes' report said.

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This is horrible. I know Johnny personally and he is the sweetest person anyone could ever meet. I hope they catch the creep who did this and punish him to the fullest extent of the law!

My prayers are with you Johnny.

-- Posted by dansgal on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 10:52 AM

Mr. Smith is in my prayers. I pray that he recovers both physically and mentally from this horrible crime. I also pray that his attacker is brought to justice to face the punishment he deserves!

-- Posted by jtjustice30 on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 12:51 PM

Any other descriptions that can be given?

-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 1:18 PM

That poor man! I am praying for him to get well and healed and the jerk who broke in to get caught.

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 5:16 PM

To whomever committed this crime- PLEASE drop by my home some evening. I promise I won't call the Police. I've got six hungry dogs up here and I assume that "long pig" would be just as tasty to them as dear meat.

In other words, one of these days you will make a mistake that will result in your death. Enjoy your short criminal career- I will be waiting on you ;)

-- Posted by JohnC on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 6:15 PM

come by my house i have a surprise, 40 caliber,looks like you do not like to knock,before you enter,thats ok,just kick my door in,it will be the last one you enter.

-- Posted by baldy731 on Wed, Jul 22, 2009, at 7:48 PM

this is cruel. i hope that they catch the person that hurt this man!

-- Posted by bad times on Thu, Jul 23, 2009, at 12:34 PM

Hey baldy731,

Check out this web site- http://www.rbcd.net/

The reloaders bench up in Mt. Juliet is the only distributer in Tennesse. Check out the balistics on the rounds, they put hydroshocks to shame. Expensive but effective, money is no object when it comes to personal defense ;)

Rbcd rounds are the only ones that I use in my carry gun. Of course I don't mess with .40 caliber because you can't improve on the .45acp in my humble opinion.

-- Posted by JohnC on Sun, Jul 26, 2009, at 5:39 PM

Amen JohnC & baldy731 !!

-- Posted by jtjustice30 on Tue, Jul 28, 2009, at 10:33 AM

By the way, does anyone have an update on this case? Any suspects? And how Mr. Smith is doing?

-- Posted by jtjustice30 on Tue, Jul 28, 2009, at 10:34 AM