47 year-old Timothy Davison a correctional officer at the Telford unit in New Boston, Texas has died after being assaulted by an prisoner Wednesday morning.
According to Jason Smith, TDCJ Director of Public Information, “at approximately 9 A.M. a correctional officer at the Telford Unit in New Boston, Texas was escorting an offender back to his cell from the dayroom when the offender assaulted the correctional officer. The officer suffered serious injuries and was transported to Christus St. Michael’s Hospital in Texarkana, Texas where he died from his injuries.”
Investigators with the Office of Inspector General – TDCJ are at the location and processing the crime scene.
“Our hearts are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life. This dedicated correctional officer came to work each day determined to make Texas a safer place to live. I would ask the public to please keep the officer’s family and the entire TDCJ family in your prayers during this difficult time,” said Brad Livingston, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of the correctional officer killed this morning. It is times like these that we fully understand the dangers that our officers face each day while on the job,” said Oliver Bell, Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. “We will see that the offender who is responsible for this murder will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The offender has been identified as 37 year old Billy Joel Tracy. He is serving a life sentence for aggravated assault and burglary of a habitation. He was also convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with serious bodily injury on a public servant, and possession of a deadly weapon in a penal institution and is serving 45 years for those offenses.
Offense History:
| Offense Date | Offense | Sentence Date | County | Case No. | Sentence (YY-MM-DD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-02-26 | RETALIATION | 1995-05-02 | TARRANT | 0576194D | 3-00-00 |
| 1998-01-27 | ASSAULT (PUBLIC SERVANT) | 1998-07-31 | ROCKWALL | 2-98-139 | 20-00-00 |
| 1998-01-27 | BURG HAB | 1998-07-31 | ROCKWALL | 2-98-140 | 9999-99-99 |
| 1998-01-27 | AGG ASLT | 1998-07-31 | ROCKWALL | 2-98-141 | 9999-99-99 |
| 2005-11-20 | AGG ASLT W/A DEADLY WEAPON ON PU | 2007-04-05 | POTTER | 54,085 | 45-00-00 |
| 2005-11-20 | AGG ASLT-SBI ON PUBLIC SERVANT | 2007-04-05 | POTTER | 54,085-E | 45-00-00 |
| 2005-11-20 | POSS OF DEADLY WEAPON IN A PENAL | 2007-04-05 | POTTER | 54,085-E | 45-00-00 |
| 2009-01-11 | ASLT PUBLIC SERVANT | 2011-11-07 | JONES | 010512 | 10-00-00 |
It’s the first Texas corrections officer killed since 2007.
