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Inmate sentenced to death for killing Texas CO during escape attempt

Officer Susan Canfield was killed when her horse was struck by a truck used in the inmate’s escape

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John Ray Falk Jr., right, and CO Susan Canfield, left.

Photo/TDCJ

By C1 Staff

WALKER COUNTY, Texas — An inmate was sentenced to death Wednesday for his role in the death of a corrections officer in 2007.

John Ray Falk Jr. and Jerry Duane Martin escaped from work detail in a stolen truck at John M. Wynne Unit on Sept. 24, 2007, The Huntsville Item reported.

Officer Susan Canfield, who was on horseback, attempted to prevent the escape, but was killed when the truck struck her horse and she was thrown from it.

The inmates’ escape was short-lived and they were detained a few miles away from the prison, according to the publication.

The jury deliberated for 28 minutes before deciding to sentence Falk to death.

Martin, who was driving the truck at the time of the incident, was convicted of capital murder in 2009 and sentenced to death. He was executed in 2013 after waiving his right to an appeal.