GATESVILLE – The Gates County Sheriff’s Office is operating without its veteran leader….at least for now.

Sheriff Ed Webb underwent surgery on Monday morning to repair a knee severely injured during a brutal attack on June 2.

“The doctor is telling me that it will take between eight to 10 weeks before I’m back on my feet,” Webb said on Sunday night, just hours before his surgery in Ahoskie. “I’m having the cartilage repaired in my knee and screws inserted to help heal a broken bone.”

In his absence, the Gates County Sheriff’s Office will rely on the expertise of veteran law enforcement officials.

“They’re highly trained and skilled in what they do; our office will be in good hands while I’m at home recuperating,” Webb said.

Webb is out of action after suffering significant damage to his knee following the arrest of an impaired motorist involved in a single vehicle accident on Hazelton Road. Logan Pederson of Daniels Road in Corapeake was charged by the Gates County Sheriff’s Office with three felonies – one count of assault resulting in physical injury of a law enforcement official, and two counts of assault resulting in physical injury of emergency personnel.

Pederson was also charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, as well as DWI. The latter charge was lodged by North Carolina Highway Patrol Sgt. A.L. Bowen who investigated the accident in which Pederson was involved. Other charges are pending by the Highway Patrol, according to First Sgt. Mike Warren.

Webb said the entire ordeal began after emergency responders were on the scene of the accident – one where Pederson had wrecked a pick up truck he was operating on Hazelton Road sometimes after 8 p.m. on June 2.

“(Pederson) became unruly at the accident scene, so much to the point where he first spit at the emergency responders and then assaulted one of our EMS workers by punching her in the face as well as assaulting a member of the Gates Volunteer Fire Department by striking him in the face with his elbow,” Webb said.

Upon transport to the Gates County Sheriff’s Office in Gatesville where a breathalyzer test was to be administered, Webb said Pederson, who was handcuffed but not shackled at the ankles, became uncooperative.

“He refused to walk into the Sheriff’s Office, even though his legs were not restrained,” Webb said. “That only left us one option, that of dragging him inside.”

Once in the hallway, Webb said he wasn’t prepared for what took place next.

“Using a leg sweep, he (Pederson) kicked me in the knee, which knocked me to the floor,” Webb explained. “He then wrapped his legs around my knee, in a leg lock so to speak, and wouldn’t let go. It all caught me by complete surprise.”

Webb added that another law enforcement officer stepped in and used physical force that resulted in Pederson easing his grip on Webb’s knee.

Pederson is scheduled to appear in Gates County District Criminal Court on Monday, June 22 to answer all charges filed against him.