A Washington County commissioner is a little shook up after a violent attack. The incident is sparking questions about the safety of public officials.

Washington County Commissioner Donnie Strickland says he got a surprise visit Tuesday morning.

"About 8:05 a citizen of the county a guy came in and started swinging his cane."

According to Strickland, 52-year-old Horace Anderson stuck him several times with a cane.

The incident occurred while Strickland was sitting behind his desk at his office in the Vernon City Hall. He says he backed up, but Anderson continued to strike him.

"He got me up against the corner and started jabbing me with the cane, but his cane wasn't long enough. Then he turned around and walked out and said, ‘I'll get you,’ and left."

Security cameras recorded the entire incident, but an unfortunate mishap deleted the material and now investigators are interviewing everyone who saw the video. That list is about six people long and includes the Washington County deputy who responded to the 911 call.

Anderson was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon but granted a conditional release. In the meantime, Commissioner Strickland says he's hoping something will be done to keep public officials safer.

"He just came in out of nowhere and what if that had been a gun, we would have been dead."

Anderson also allegedly threatened to burn down Strickland's home about three months ago. When that incident was reported the officials contacted Anderson, but no charges were filed.