One of two corrections officers killed on prison bus laid to rest

WILKINSON COUNTY, Ga. — The escaped inmates accused of killing two corrections officers are in separate cells in Tennessee.

Ricky Dubose and Donnie Rowe will soon return to Georgia to face charges in their deaths.

One of the officers was laid to rest Saturday morning, Sgt. Curtis Billue.

Billue lived in Wilkinson County, where he was a caregiver for his elderly father, and where he leaves behind two sons.

He graduated from Wilkinson County High school, where his funeral was held in the school's auditorium.

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Billue and Sgt. Christopher Monica were killed in the line of duty when their prison transport bus was taken over by two inmates.

Investigators say Dubose and Rowe overpowered, then shot the officers with their own guns and ran.
               
Their escape ended in middle Tennessee after more than two days on the run.
              
Now that they're back behind bars, the attention turns to remembering the two fallen officers.

The department of corrections commissioner spoke about getting news of their deaths.

"The pain and anguish that was in the toes of my feet went up to my heart. And as that day went on and i learned more and more about these two officers and met their families, the impact of these cowardly acts is far reaching,” Gregory Dozier with the Georgia Department of Corrections said.

The service for Billue starts at 11 a.m. Monica's funeral will be Tuesday afternoon in Millidgeville. He leaves behind two daughters and two grandchildren.

Law enforcement from across the state are expected will be here to pay their respects. That includes the sheriff of Putnam County, where the murders took place.

Cox Media Group