A Butler County corrections officer is being recognized for stopping an inmate from seriously injuring another prisoner.

Officer Mark Scott was commended Tuesday at the county prison board meeting.

Warden Joe DeMore spoke about Scott intervening in the June 8 fight that resulted in inmate Matthew Kovocovsky, 45, receiving 26 stitches.

“He jumped in there,” DeMore said. “It’s one of the more brutal ones I’ve seen. He might have saved the inmate’s life.”

DeMore praised Scott’s actions despite prison policy requiring officers to wait for backup.

“You went against our policy, but in that sense you made the right call,” DeMore said.

In an interview, Scott said, “When the victim was on the floor unable to defend himself, I felt if I waited for backup to arrive there could have been serious head injuries suffered.”

Inmate Russell Eugene Smith, 33, is charged with aggravated assault, assault by prisoner and simple assault.

County Chief Detective Chuck Barger said Kovocovsky, who suffered severe cuts to his face and head, did not resist.

“He went down pretty fast,” Barger said.

The detective said there is no indication why Smith resorted to violence.

“We have not been able to determine a reason for that,” Barger said.

According to the criminal complaint against Smith, he was standing by Kovocovsky when the attack erupted.

The complaint states prison video shows Kovocovsky covering his head with his hands before laying prone on the ground while being kicked and stomped.

The affidavit states Smith struck Kovocovsky numerous times in his face and head before the older inmate fell to the ground.

According to the complaint, “Smith began to kick Kovocovsky numerous times in the back and head. Smith then stomped on Kovocovsky’s head several times before Corrections Officer Scott broke up the incident.”

When Barger interviewed Kovocovsky on June 10 about the attack, the inmate said Smith was asking him about his brother’s stays in state prison.

The complaint states Smith wanted to know what it was like because he expected to receive a sentence sending him to state prison.

He is awaiting sentencing on another aggravated assault case.

Kovocovsky told Barger he told Smith to leave him alone because he did not want to answer the questions.

According to the complaint, “Kovocovsky remembers Smith hitting him once but after that does not remember anything until the guards and medical were treating him.”

According to the complaint, Smith initially told Barger “I deserve it” after the detective told him why he was being interviewed.

Once Smith said he wanted to speak with an attorney, Barger stopped the interview.

According to the complaint, “Smith then stated that he must have blacked out as he does not remember anything. Smith stated he is bipolar and has a problem with assaulting people.”