NEW BOSTON, TX. (KTBS) - A corrections officers who was beaten by an inmate at the state prison in New Boston, Texas, has died of his injuries, authorities said Wednesday afternoon.
Telford Unit spokesman Jason Clark said the officer was pronounced dead after being airlifted to Christus St. Michael hospital in Texarkana.
His name has not been made public pending notification of family.
The attack happened about 9 a.m. Wednesday as the officer was escorting the inmate back to his cell from a dayroom. Clark said the inmate grabbed an iron bar that is used to open the cell-door slots that are used to deliver meals to inmates.
Authorities identified the inmate as Billy Joel Tracy, 37, who was serving a life sentence for aggravated assault and burglary, and a 45-year sentence for a separate conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with serious bodily injury on a public servant, and possession of a deadly weapon in a penal institution.
