Local Doctor Has 'Melt Down' in Surgery; Arrested

A surgeon at Baptist Health Paducah was arrested after allegedly having a "melt down" during surgery.

According to a police report by Paducah Police, Dr. Ted Jefferson, 49 of Mayfield, was in surgery on Tuesday at around 5:30 pm, when he apparently had what's being described in the report as a "melt down" and began using profane language.  The police report indicates other employees inside the surgery suite heard Jefferson state "I guess administration will be happy if I come in here with an assault rifle."

Jefferson, who is reported to have a history of having a temper while at work, according to the police report, was initially allowed to "cool off" for around 30 minutes after being confronted by members of the hospital administration.  

After the 30 minutes was up, administration officials deemed Jefferson calm enough to go back into surgery and continue.  The police report states that as soon as he went back into the surgery suite, he immediately stated "Who's the weasel who called administration to complain about me?"

Police say at this point two members of the hospital administration once again confronted Jefferson about his actions being intolerable.  Hospital administration told police that Jefferson became belligerent with them and made another reference to an assault rifle.  He then mentioned something about "not knowing when."

Jefferson was suspended for 3 days and escorted out of the hospital by security. Paducah Police then report that officers were patrolling around Baptist Health the following morning and they spotted Jefferson at around 3:15 am (Wednesday) in the parking lot of the hospital. Jefferson told police he was going to his office to write the hospital administration an email.

The police report states two officers wearing body cameras recorded Jefferson indicating that he was upset over apparent medical supplies that were "unsanitary."  He went on to tell police that he was acting out of anger the previous day at the hospital, and then went on to tell the two officers that the only way to "get anything done is to go home and get a pistol or rifle."

Jefferson was arrested on Terroristic Threatening and Disorderly Conduct charges.  He has since posted bail.

Calls to Jefferson's attorney from WestKentuckyStar.com were not returned Friday.