October 13, 2017

Justin Smith and Veronica Darden - Fatalities - Division of Prisons, North Carolina

Correctional Officer Justin Smith, age 35, and Correction Enterprises Manager Veronica Darden, age 50, died in the line of duty on October 12, 2017, at a prison in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 

Veronica Darden; Justin Smith
Elizabeth City is located about 165 miles northeast of Raleigh, North Carolina.

In the afternoon of October 12th, several prisoners undertook an escape from the Pasquotank Correctional Institute located in Elizabeth City.

Inmates started a fire in the sewing plant area of the prison as a diversionary tactic. Prison staff members and responding firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and prevent the escape.

However, during the incident, two prison personnel were mortally wounded.

Tragically deceased are:

Veronica Darden, age 50. Veronica was a vocational worker with 10 years of service. She had worked as a guard for a year and then moved on to the state's work program for prisoners. She trained prisoners in the construction of safety vests and other items made at the prison's sewing plant.

Justin Smith, age 35. Justin was a Corrections Officer with 5 years of service. He
Adrian of Nicomedia,
Patron Saint of Prison
Guards, pray for
Veronica and for
Justin and for those
who have lost them.
worked as a guard in the prison's sewing plant. 

Numerous other staff members at the prison were wounded, some very seriously.

The members of the North Carolina Division of Prisons are in mourning over the deaths of their brother and sister. They died in the service of North Carolina. They will be forever remembered. 

The loved ones of Veronica and Justin are devastated over their sudden and tragic deaths. They were loved. They did their best. They will be forever mourned.

Thank you for your service to North Carolina, Veronica and Justin.

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Pray for all who die suddenly. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye.

God save us from the Lost Ones who bring death to others. Amen.

Pray that Veronica is in Heaven. Pray that she is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Pray that Justin is in Heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

1 comment:

Sanctuary of Mary said...

Tragically, another Correctional Officer has died from injuries received during the October 12th, 2017, attempted prison breakout.

Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon died on October 30, 2017. She was 49 years old and had 4 years of service.

Pray that she is at peace and that she is with God. Amen.