Sergeant John S. Dennard, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida

Sergeant John S. Dennard

Florida Department of Corrections, Florida

End of Watch Thursday, May 5, 1983

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.

Bio

Age 29
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Shank
Offender Commuted to life

Most Recent Reflection

View all 23 Reflections

Correctional Officers Farewell
by Lt. Larry E. Peoples, Sr. (Ret.)

We all know it can happen,
When we put our Colors on.
It only takes an instant,
Then one of us is gone.

Day to day we walk our beat,
In God we put our faith.
'Cause we're the law inside the wall,
We keep the Public safe.

You've done the job that few can do,
Your shift is at an end.
Farewell my Brother, Rest in peace,
On you we could depend.

Lt. Larry Peoples, Sr. (Ret.)
Florida Department of Corrections

May 5, 2014