N.C. Department of Correction--Correction News--June 1997

Memorial Service Held For Correctional Officers

Seven officers of the North Carolina Department of Correction who died in the line of duty were honored during a memorial service at Bulah Hills Christian Church in Four Oaks May 22.

Officers J.S. Chesser, Kermit Dale Jackson, Earl Cranston Strickland, Randall Clayton Cupp, William Vance Lee, Leslie John Besci and Sarah M. Valentine were remembered in the service organized by the Police Benevolence Association’s state chapter during National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Week.

Deputy Warden R.C. Lee of Central Prison and Charles Stewart, Division of Prison Chief of Security, joined with Johnston County law enforcement and community leaders in remembering the fallen officers and recognizing their families. After the service, a plaque listing the officers was presented to Central Prison Warden James French.
	Sherwood McCabe and Warden James French of Central Prison receive the memorial plaque from John Midgette and Bruce Barrett.

Officer Chesser of Central Prison was killed while working death row in 1939. Officer Jackson of Alexander Correctional Center was killed in a road squad accident in 1960. Officer Strickland of Robeson Correctional Center was shot and killed by an escaping inmate. Officer Cupp of Alexander Correctional Center was killed in 1986 when he was called to a dispute near his home. Officer Lee, a DAPP unit supervisor, was killed in a traffic accident in 1989. Officer Besci of Sandhills Youth Center was killed in his home in 1992. Officer Valentine of Odom Correctional Institution was killed in a traffic accident earlier this year.

Bruce Barrett, a correctional officer and member of the Police Benevolence Association, worked to organize the service which he hopes will become an annual event.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

NC DOC Correction News- June 1997
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