Knife wielding man to spend 5 years behind bars

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) – A man facing aggravated battery and assault charges in Williamson County accepted a plea agreement.

On January 24, in Williamson County Court Brent R. Peddicord accepted a plea agreement which will keep him into the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections for five years.

Peddicord pleaded to the charge of aggravated battery to a peace officer, a class 2 felony.

“Law enforcement should not have to worry about being attacked for doing their job. In Williamson County, criminals who seek to harm officers will be held accountable,” said Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson in an issued statement.

A man faces aggravated battery and assault charges in Williamson County after sheriff’s deputies say he attacked them with a knife.

Brent R. Peddicord originally faced charges of aggravated battery of a peace officer (Class X felony), unlawful use of a weapon by felon (Class X felony), aggravated assault of a peace officer (Class 4 felony), resisting/obstructing a peace officer (Class 4 felony), intoxicated pedestrian and pedestrian walking on highway.

A Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy responded to the area of Illinois State Route 37 and Southern Hunt Road in reference to a call for service reporting a suspicious male on November 20, 2023 at 4:14 p.m.

A deputy spoke to a resident who said a male pulled into his/her driveway and indicated he was out of gas. While speaking with the resident, the driver offered the resident a bottle of alcoholic beverage from the back seat. He then locked the vehicle and walked down Illinois Route 37.

The deputy left the home and found the man illegally walking in the road a short distance away, according to the deputy with the sheriff’s office.

While speaking Peddicord, he appeared intoxicated, according to the deputy.

Peddicord repeatedly placed his hands in his pockets and was holding or adjusting something on his waistband which was covered by his shirt, after being told not to.

The deputy asked Peddicord if he had any weapons on him and he responded by pulling a large fix blade knife inside its sheath from his waistband and raised it in close proximity to the deputy.

The deputy grabbed the knife and a fight for control of the weapon began while Peddicord attempted to pull it away multiple times.

As the knife started to separate from the sheath the deputy pushed Peddicord away creating distance from the suspect. The suspect retreated with the weapon.

As a second deputy arrived on scene, the first deputy used a taser while the second deputy drew his service weapon. The taser did not make adequate contact.

Peddicord continued to fight the deputies by wielding the knife, according to the sheriff’s office.

A second taser deployment made contact with Peddicord causing him to fall to the ground.

Deputies tried to handcuff Peddicord as he kicked and punched the deputies while still waving the knife.

Deputies responded by delivering strikes to Peddicord and were successful in overpowering and in disarming him of the knife.

One deputy was taken to an area hospital for lacerations to the hand and a back injury.

“Both Deputies found themselves in an unthinkable situation while serving and protecting our community. Without their experience, training, and quick action this incident could have had a less favorable outcome,” said Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich.

Peddicord has a history of criminal activity and violent offenses. He was currently serving a period of parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections. As a result of prior convictions, some of these offenses are now eligible for enhanced sentencing.

He was taken to the Williamson County Jail.

Shortly after arriving at the jail, the Illinois Department of Corrections issued an arrest warrant for Peddicord, effectively suspending his parole.