By Michelle L. Quinn
Sun-Times Media
LAKE COUNTY, Ind. — The line to pay respects grew by the minute Sunday for Lake County Correction Officer Britney R. Meux, who was killed when a vehicle hit her and three other joggers.
“She had her own style, and she was always such a motivator,” said Lake County Deputy Warden Niecy Gore, smiling at the memory of her friend at Ridgelawn Funeral Home in Gary.
“You never saw her without a smile on her face.”
Meux, 25, was killed last week and three other correctional officers were injured on 93rd Avenue near the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point after her shift.
On Sunday, hundreds gathered at Ridgelawn Funeral Home. Officers donning full and formal uniforms from around the state flanked the doorways, directing the crowd and lending a solemn air. A worn-out Lake County Sheriff John Buncich said Meux would receive full honors by the Sheriff’s Department.
“I’ve attended too many of these,” he said. “It’s just a very emotional day, seeing our officers’ faces. We need to get these two days behind us.”
Buncich recalled Meux as short in stature, but fearless in her job and life. A November incident at the jail proved her resolve, as the new mom jumped right in to help settle the issue right along with the other, bigger officers. She was equally determined to rise through the ranks as well, expecting to wrap up a Public Safety degree at Calumet College of St. Joseph and training for the fitness portion for her job.
It’s what she and fellow correction officers David Murchek, Latasha Johnson and Delano Scaife were doing when they were allegedly hit by Jason R. Cozmanoff, of Crown Point.
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