Sergeant John S. Dennard

John S. Dennard

Sergeant John Dennard was killed when he was stabbed with a shank by two inmates who attacked him and other guards in the main housing unit at Union Correctional Institution. He was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Three other guards who suffered stab wounds recovered from their injuries.

Both inmates were convicted of first degree murder. One was sentenced to death but later had his sentence commuted to life. The other suspect was sentenced to life. In 2000 he received a new trial. He pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years.

Sergeant Dennard was survived by his mother, brother, and six sisters, 14 nieces and 6 nephews.