Funeral Details Released For Corrections Officer Killed At Georgia Prison

GLENNVILLE, GA — The funeral arrangements for a Georgia corrections officer who was killed Sunday by a Smith State Prison inmate have been released, the Georgia Department of Corrections said late Monday afternoon.

The GDC said officer Robert Clark, 42, was escorting two inmates from the prison's dining hall when one of them assaulted Clark with a homemade weapon. The second inmate tried to assist Clark but was also assaulted, the GDC said.

Both Clark and the second inmate were taken to local hospitals; however, Clark died of his injuries, the GDC said. He had been working at Smith since April.

The second inmate's injuries were not life threatening, the GDC said.

Visitation for Clark will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Carter Funeral Home, 308 W. Oglethorpe Hwy., in Hinesville.

A funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at St. Stephens Catholic Church, 399 Woodland Drive, in Hinesville.

According to the Carter Funeral Home, Clark's obituary is forthcoming.

“The entire GDC team is mourning the loss of one of our own, and we collectively express our deepest condolences to Officer Clark’s family and friends,” GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said in a Facebook post. “We will support them as they navigate this tragedy over the coming days, weeks and months.”

The GDC identified the suspect as Layton Lester and added Lester will face charges in the fatal incident.