Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man after he allegedly assaulted his wife and then fled with two children as deputies arrived.
Responding to a domestic dispute call at 457 Rolen Road in Sevierville just after 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, an officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being run down by a Volkswagen fleeing the scene. A woman at the address told officers that her estranged husband, 49-year-old Gerald C. Radekin Jr., threatened to kill her and forced her into a car, but she escaped and ran to a neighbor’s home where she called 911. Radekin reportedly then went back into the home and took two young children, one who is the couple’s adopted child and the other a grandchild, with him as he bolted.
The wife had a current order of protection against her husband.
About an hour later, officers learned Radekin was in the Flat Creek Road area. When officers found the car there, the suspect fled once again. A short chase ensued, ending when Radekin stopped his car and was taken into custody. The Tennessee Highway Patrol assisted the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office in the incident and pursuit of the subject.
Radekin’s wife was transported to LeConte Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the assault. She was later released and reunited with the children.
Radekin has been charged with one count of attempted first degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, two counts of violation of a court order, one count of aggravated assault on an officer, and one count of evading arrest. He is held in the Sevier County Jail without bond pending a hearing date.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Earlier this year, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office appointed a dedicated Domestic Violence Officer to address the growing rate of domestic violence in the county.
