Governor Lee memorializes corrections official murdered at West TN penitentiary

Governor Bill Lee speaking at a memorial service in Nashville for 38-year corrections veteran Debra Johnson.

Investigators have charged Curtis Watson with Johnson’s death. They said that Watson strangled Johnson inside her home and then escaped from a West Tennessee penitentiary. He was captured Sunday following a five day manhunt.

Johnson was memorialized by a former co-worker during the Friday service as correctional administrator who some prisoners came to call ‘Mom’ because of her caring nature.

The governor concluded his comments with encouraging words and prayer.

(TDOC)