Father, Son Assault McDonald County Deputies:

Justin Cunningham

A McDonald County deputy was injured Sunday (04-11-10) when he responded to a domestic disturbance on Route EE.

Someone inside the home called to 9-1-1 to report that Justin Cunningham, 27, had assaulted his girlfriend, was loading a pistol and refused to allow authorities on his property.

McDonald County Sheriff Robert Evenson says when Deputy Daniel Gardner arrived at the scene of the alleged assault, Justin Cunningham was armed with a baseball bat, refused to drop it and was tased.

Rex Cunningham

After Gardner tased Cunningham, his father, Rex Cunningham, 49, hit the deputy in the head with a walking stick cutting the deputy's eye. Rex Cunningham also hit another deputy in the arm with the stick then jumped onto the back of another responding deputy.

Both Rex Cunningham and Justin Cunningham were transported to the McDonald County Jail where they posted bond and were released. The walking stick, baseball bat and a loaded 9mm pistol were recovered as evidence.

Deputy Gardner was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released.