Centerville mall shoplifter gets 36 years in prison for aggravated assault on police officer
PERRY -- A Centerville mall shoplifter who struggled with a Houston County sheriff’s deputy was sentenced Tuesday to 36 years in prison.
During the 2009 incident, a deputy sustained a gunshot wound to the finger. Ryan Cornelius Rumph was also shot during a struggle after escaping custody.
Rumph, 20, of Marshallville, was sentenced by Judge Edward D. Lukemire after a 20-minute hearing in Houston County Superior Court that included testimony from two law enforcement officers and from Rumph’s aunt.
The sentencing followed a one-day bench trial Monday in which Rumph was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer as well as felony escape, misdemeanor battery and theft by shoplifting.
Rumph was found not guilty of aggravated assault on a police officer and not guilty of removal or attempted removal of a weapon from a police officer.
Rumph was arrested on Nov. 13, 2009 for shoplifting at The Galleria in Centerville and broke free from custody after a struggle with then-Centerville police Officer Kimberly Eschenbach outside the city’s police station on north Houston Lake Road, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and a subsequent Houston County grand jury indictment.
Rumph fled into an adjacent residential area. Houston County Deputy Deryk Collins found Rumph hiding in the passenger cabin of a pickup truck.
During a struggle, Collins shot Rumph in the upper torso and Collins received a gunshot wound in the left index finger as Rumph briefly gained control of the pistol’s direction, according to a news release.
Rumph’s attorney said Collins was shot when the gun fell and discharged accidentally.
A wounded Rumph again fled on foot. Centerville police Sgt. Mike Smith fired at Rumph who pushed his way into an elderly couple’s home on Miller Court and wrestled with the husband as he attempted to call 911. Rumph was arrested as he came out of the home.
Eschenbach testified during the hearing about her struggle with Rumph.
“To some, it was a common tussle,” she told the judge. “But to me it was a fight for my life.”
Collins, who can no longer feel the tip of his finger, testified that he also felt he was in a fight for his life and that society cannot allow people to fight with police.
Lennie Rouse, Rumph’s aunt, testified that he got a “raw deal” growing up after his parents divorced.
Rumph, who was intoxicated during the incident, apologized.
Houston County Public Defender Nick White sought mercy for Rumph. While not excusing Rumph’s actions, White noted that Rumph did not take opportunities he had to use the taser on the Centerville officer or fire at the sheriff’s deputy.
Assistant District Attorney Steve Cusick stressed Rumph’s “series of unnecessary escalades” during the incident.
Before sentencing Rumph, Lukemire said when people don’t live under the law, the fabric of society is undermined. While stating he was not trying to be overdramatic, the judge noted that there must be serious consequences for such actions.
“I think you are painfully aware that just a few minutes can radically change your life and the lives of others,” Lukemire told Rumph from the bench.
Lukemire also set special conditions of Rumph’s probation upon release from prison. Rumph may not consume alcohol, commit any violent crimes or have contact with victims, Lukemire ordered. Rumph was also banished from Houston County and its contiguous counties. Rumph was also ordered to get his GED while in prison.
To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.
This story was originally published March 6, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Centerville mall shoplifter gets 36 years in prison for aggravated assault on police officer."