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Ruby was allegedly kicked in head during attempt to calm patient.
By Cory de Vera
The News-Leader
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A 61-year-old security guard at Cox North hospital has died of injuries suffered when he was allegedly kicked in the back of the head by a patient he was trying to calm.
Cox Heath announced the death of security officer Monte Ruby in a news release about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.
He died from injuries suffered Saturday while on duty at the Cox North Emergency Department.
“Officer Ruby was beloved by us all and he will be greatly missed,” said the release from Cox.
Ruby was also employed as a safety and security officer at the Richwood Valley campus of Ozarks Technical Community College in Christian County. Spokesman Joel Doepker said the death came as a shock.
“The thoughts and prayers of his friends and colleagues at OTC go out to his family,” said Doepker.
Ruby, who had worked at the hospital 15 years, was allegedly kicked in the neck and spine Saturday by Jeffrey L. Bolden.
The kick damaged Ruby’s spine and brain stem, and doctors hadn’t expected him to survive.
Bolden had been brought to the hospital on Saturday after police apprehended him for an assault and attempted arson. Bolden was chased by a police dog, and police brought him to the hospital to treat a dog bite.
On Monday, he was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, but Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore said if Ruby died the charges would be upgraded, possibly to murder.
When Bolden arrived at the hospital for treatment he was “uncooperative and belligerent,” police said. Ruby was among the hospital staff attempting to calm Bolden, and when the guard turned his back, Bolden allegedly kicked him in the head.
Bolden later told police Ruby had choked him.
Samantha Plumlee, who lived next door to Ruby, said she knew Ruby as a good neighbor who looked out for neighborhood kids.
“I know he was a really good guy,” said Plumlee. “He and his wife would buy Dreamsicles for my kids, and ask my kids how they were doing.”
Copyright 2008 THe News-Leader