Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia
End of Watch: Monday, November 8, 1943
Age: 57
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 7, 1943
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Charged with murder
Guard Clarence Cox was shot and killed during an escape attempt from the state prison road camp near Douglas, Georgia.
A prison trustee used his privilege to access a prison office, where he obtained a gun. He held several employees at gunpoint, which allowed 10 additional inmates to raid the camp arsenal and steal seven shotguns and all of the ammunition.
As the group attempted to flee they ordered Guard Cox to drop his gun. He was then shot in the abdomen by a blast from a shotgun as he opened fire on the escapees. He was transported to a local hospital where he died the following day.
The trustee, 22, who caused the escape was also the ring leader. This was his ninth escape. All 11 were trustees. He was captured the next day along with three others. All were eventually captured. Six were charged with murder. An investigation revealed prison officials were extremely negligent as to how they appointed trusties and the dangerous access they were given to areas within the prison and camps.