Neighbors say they were shocked to learn about the stabbing.
"[It] kind of surprised me," neighbor John Cousin said. "This area over here is quiet...real nice, calm neighborhood."
A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said an officer was trying to serve a mental commitment order for William Austin, III.
After repeated attempts to locate Alston, two deputies were called to the home just before midnight. They located Alston in the back of the home.
Investigators say Alston became upset and wrestled with the deputies, stabbing one of them in his left side.
The deputies were able to restrain Alston and his family cared for the bleeding deputy until paramedics arrived.
"They're good people," Cousin said. "That's a fine family there."
While neighbors can believe the Alston family would help a wounded person, they find it hard to believe their normally mild mannered son would harm someone.
"He was a kind, gentle person," Cousin said. " [He] kind of stayed to himself. I don't know what got into his head."
Under state law, a person can be involuntarily committed if they are believed to be a danger to them self or others.
Court documents for Alston's case are not available at this time.
There's no word if any charges will be filed, and the deputy's condition is unknown.
