Inmates Kill Correctional Officer In Escape Attempt

[JR180]

Inmates Kill Correctional Officer In Escape Attempt
By Shawn Neisteadt
Published: April 12, 2011, 4:57 PM
keloland.com




SIOUX FALLS, SD - A longtime employee at the South Dakota Penitentiary is dead and two inmates are accused of their most brutal crime yet.

Authorities say Rodney Berget and Eric Robert attempted to break out of prison Tuesday morning, and in the process, they assaulted two guards. One of those correctional officers is expected to be okay, but 63-year-old Ronald Johnson died at a Sioux Falls hospital.

The two inmates didn't make it beyond the walls of the penitentiary until authorities escorted them to the Minnehaha County Jail. In the meantime, the entire prison was placed on lockdown and the Department of Corrections says it will stay that way until the Division of Criminal Investigation completes its investigation. All other inmates and staff members have been accounted for.

It was around 11 a.m. Tuesday when deputies from the Minnehaha County Sheriff's office and Sioux Falls Police officers rushed to the state penitentiary. Inside, the Department of Corrections says two inmates had tried to escape, and in doing so, assaulted two guards.

Berget and Robert, both 48 years old, were both caught while still inside prison walls. They each were serving hard time for hard crimes. Berget is serving two life sentences for attempted murder in Lawrence County and for kidnapping in Meade County. Robert is serving time for kidnapping in Meade county.

The DOC says Johnson was taken from the prison to a Sioux Falls hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:50 a.m. Another correctional officer was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Late Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement searched outside the prison as well, looking inside vehicles and writing down license plate numbers.

Governor Dennis Daugaard released a statement saying, "I am deeply saddened by Mr. Johnson's death, and I am praying for his family and friends at this very difficult time. This incident is a somber reminder that our prison guards put themselves at risk, every day, to protect South Dakota from our worst criminals. The Penitentiary is under lockdown and will remain so as DCI conducts its investigation. The attackers are in custody and under confinement. We will act swiftly to bring these murderers to justice and to ensure the safety of our prison staff."

[SANE-A30]

Wow he was a dedicated officer 63 years old that is amazing service...when situations like this arise what is the usual protocol does the unit go on lockdown do they call a code for more assistance? it's a shame technology could not develop a device to read a person's adrenaline to Taz them or shock them before they ever attacked the officers... that would be ideal... probabley impossible but it would make their jobs a lot safer....