Jackson police officer jailed on assault charges

A Jackson police officer was charged Thursday with assaulting his two sons and the girlfriend of one of the boys at his Jackson home.

Edward A. Moore, 45, faces three counts of third-degree assault. His bond was set at $3,500, cash-only.

The investigation was conducted by the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department after Moore's former wife, Cherie Moore, called the sheriff's office Wednesday to report that Moore had assaulted her 18-year-old son.

According to a sworn affidavit filed with the charges, deputy Ron Hobeck responded to Edward Moore's home at 1275 W. Independence St. in Jackson, where the 18-year-old son said his father had grabbed him by the throat and punched him during an argument.

When the 18-year-old son's girlfriend, also 18, tried to separate the two, Moore grabbed her by the throat and punched her in the face, the son told Hobeck.

Moore's younger son, 15, also tried to break them apart and Moore punched the boy as well, Hobeck wrote in his affidavit.

Hobeck arrested Moore after Moore denied the statements. When Hobeck noted a knot over Moore's left eye, the Jackson officer said the injury occurred when he fell down the stairs. He refused to allow pictures to be taken, Hobeck said.

Moore is being held in the Bollinger County Jail.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Moore's attorney, Steve Wilson, had filed a request to allow a property or other type of bond. Swingle said he would oppose the motion.

For updates, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Friday's Southeast Missourian.