Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia
End of Watch: Sunday, March 29, 1970
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 29, 1970
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Correctional Officer Richard Rogers and Assistant Director Donald Smith were shot and killed inside of the Parker Elementary School in Sumner, Georgia, while attempting to apprehend an escapee from the George State Prison in Reidsville.
The prison trusty had escaped four days earlier while working inside of the assistant warden's home. He was able to gain control of a handgun inside the home and then took the assistant warden's wife hostage before stealing several more firearms. He forced the hostage to drive him over 100 miles before letting her go. She immediately alerted local authorities who started a massive search for the man.
Officers from the Georgia State Prison were also sent to Sumner to lead the search. Assistant Director Smith and Officer Rogers were part of a group of four officers who located fresh tracks near the elementary school and found it unlocked. As they began to search the school the escapee suddenly emerged from the principal's office and opened fire with a shotgun, killing Assistant Director Smith and Officer Rogers. One of the other two officers was wounded as they retreated and called for assistance.
The escapee then barricaded himself inside of the school's auditorium. He was shot and killed when he opened fire on approaching officers.
Officer Rogers had served with the Georgia State Prison for six years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and parents. His father was the superintendent of a state prison farm on which Officer Roger was born and raised.