By Corrections1 Staff
PASQUOTANK COUNTY, N.C. — Emotions were high as family, friends, COs and law enforcement officers from across the nation laid 35-year-old Justin James Smith to rest Sunday.
The Daily Advance reported that friends, family and colleagues gathered at the Fine Arts Center at Elizabeth City State University to mourn and remember the fallen correctional officer. Smith was killed almost two weeks ago along with Veronica Darden during an attempted prisoner escape at the Pasquotank County Correctional Institution.
Friends who worked with Smith described him as a man who was full of passion and had a great appetite for life, WTKR News reported.
“It’s heart-wrenching to see the family hurting,” Pamela Walker, Department of Public Safety, said. “It really gets you in the heart.”
Last week, four inmates were charged with murder following the attempted escape.
“We’re going to finish up our investigation,” Sheriff Randy Cartwright, Pasquotank County, said.”We’re going back to the grand jury on the 30th.”
A memorial for Correctional Officer Justin Smith, killed by in the Pasquotank Correctional Institution begins. A closer look on #13NewsNow pic.twitter.com/fdAxXz7aXK
— Megan Shinn (@MeganShinn) October 22, 2017
One final salute for slain Pasquotank Correctional Institute worker Justin Smith. pic.twitter.com/Iy5euIREST
— Taj Simmons (@TajBSimmons) October 22, 2017
#13NewsNow remembering Pasquotank Correctional Officer Justin Smith, “he cared about everybody.” pic.twitter.com/MINls0b3eU
— Megan Shinn (@MeganShinn) October 22, 2017