Sikeston man allegedly assaults wife, tries to commit murder-suicide by driving into utility pole

SIKESTON, Mo. — A 51-year-old Sikeston man was arrested after allegedly striking his wife in the head with a wooden ax handle at their home Tuesday afternoon, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said Thursday in a news release.

Rodger D. Tillman has been charged with two counts of domestic assault in the first degree, and counts of armed criminal action, bond has been set at $25,000 cash.

Tillman was arrested at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston after taking his wife there for medical attention.

Tillman and his wife of 30 years were at their residence north of Sikeston Tuesday afternoon when Tillman became upset and struck his wife in the head numerous times with a wooden ax handle, Walter said. Tillman then proceeded to drive his wife to the hospital for medical attention. On the way to the hospital, Tillman intentionally struck a utility pole at a high rate of speed reportedly attempting to kill his wife and himself. When Tillman struck the pole, it sheered the pole off and left the vehicle drivable, so Tillman continued to the hospital. Tillman received no injuries as a result of the incident involving the utility pole, and his wife received only minor injuries.

Walter said Tillman told investigators that he and his wife were suffering from financial burden and had recently been evicted from their residence. Tillman said he and his wife had discussed the matter and come to the conclusion that suicide was their only option. Tillman said when he struck his wife in the head with the ax handle and only injured her, that he decided he would drive in to the utility pole and kill them both.