Sheriff's deputy threatened

A 59-year-old man was zapped with a Taser and arrested Tuesday at his Valley Springs home after authorities claim he threatened to kill a Calaveras County Sheriff’s deputy.

Sheriff’s deputies responded at 4:05 p.m. to the home of Richard Pierce, 59, on the 700 block of Quail Oaks Drive. Pierce displayed “bizarre behavior,” which included making threats towards his own safety upon deputies’ arrival, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Pierce began to yell that he was “going to kill” a deputy who was trying to help him, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Pierce then picked up a metal cane and advanced toward the deputy, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Additional deputies were summoned to help the deputy control Pierce’s “escalating violence,” according to a Sheriff’s Office report.

Pierce was ordered to drop the metal cane numerous times. When he failed to comply, a deputy shot him with a Taser, the report said.

Pierce fell onto a recliner chair and struggled with the deputies as they tried to handcuff him, the report said.

One deputy suffered a minor injury to his hand during the struggle but didn’t require medical attention.

Pierce was arrested and transported to Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital for medical clearance, the Sheriff’s Office said.

He later was booked into Calaveras County Jail on felony charges of threatening a peace officer and battery against a peace officer, as well as two misdemeanor counts of exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a firearm and obstructing a peace officer.

He remained in custody at the jail on $18,750 bail Thursday evening.