THOMASVILLE — Officials say a Cairo woman is “very lucky” to be alive after an aggravated assault left her bleeding in a ditch.

Shirley Knight, of 690 N. Washington Dr. SW, had her throat slashed by her husband, William Henry Knight, after an argument, Lt. Johnny Myers, investigator with Cairo Police Department, said Tuesday.

“It was life-threatening. She was very fortunate because she knew to place her hands over her throat to suppress the flow of blood. It’s a good thing someone was close by when it happened, too. She’s very lucky.”

The assault, according to an incident report, occurred Saturday afternoon.

Some neighbors were mowing their lawns at the time of the assault. They told officers they saw Mrs. Knight exit the residence and walk toward them. She then “fell in the ditch,” neighbors went to her aid and called 911.

Another neighbor witnessed seeing a black Mercedes — usually driven by Mrs. Knight — leave the residence, heading toward Ga. 111 South just before she exited the house.

“This couple had been married for 32 years, but are going through a divorce,” Myers said. “They still socialized. The talk they were having escalated into an argument, which led to the assault. He basically cut her throat and left.”

Chief Keith Sandefur said Tuesday the weapon used was a knife, but the specific type is unknown at this time.

Mr. Knight, 52, was arrested Sunday night at Grady Lodge in Cairo.

“He came back into town and was arrested without incident,” Myers said. “We received several anonymous calls he was back in town and he knew we were looking for him.”

Mr. Knight was released on a $50,000 bond late Monday, officials said. He has been issued a court order to stay away from his wife.

Myers said Mr. Knight faces an aggravated assault (domestic violence) charge, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years.

Mrs. Knight was transported to Grady General Hospital. Officials expected her to be released some time Tuesday.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time officers have ever responded to a domestic violence call at this residence,” Myers said. “They were good people and this has been a shock to everyone who knows them.”