Prison guards killed by inmates during transport in Georgia; manhunt underway

Correctional Officers Christopher Monica and Curtis Billue tragically killed

This photo combo shows an undated photo by the Georgia Department of Corrections Tuesday, June 13, 2017, shows inmate Ricky Dubose, left, and Donnie Russell Rowe. Authorities say Dubose and Rowe escaped after killing two prison guards during a bus transport in Georgia. Both are being sought by law enforcement. 

Two Georgia inmates serving long prison sentences and "dangerous beyond description" overpowered and killed two guards on a prison bus before fleeing in a stolen car, authorities said.

The deadly escape happened about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday as the guards drove 33 inmates between prisons, and it set off a massive manhunt involving local, state and federal officers, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.

Sills was emotional as he described the scene.

"I saw two brutally murdered corrections officers, that's what I saw," he said. "I have their blood on my shoes."

Donnie Russell Rowe, serving life without parole, and Ricky Dubose, who has prominent tattoos on his face and neck, overpowered, disarmed and killed Sgt. Christopher Monica and Sgt. Curtis Billue and then carjacked a driver who happened to pull up behind the bus on a rural highway, Sills said.

They got into the "grass green," four-door 2004 Honda Civic with the Georgia license plate number RBJ-6601 and drove west on state Highway 16 toward Eatonton, southeast of Atlanta.

"We are still desperately looking for these two individuals. They are armed with 9 mm pistols that were taken from these correctional officers. They are dangerous beyond description. If anyone sees them or comes into contact, they need to call 911 immediately," the sheriff said.

The two inmates got a head start by taking and tossing the Honda driver's cellphone and leaving the other 31 prisoners locked inside the bus, Sills said.

"My biggest worry is they're going to kill somebody else," Sills said.

Later Tuesday, the manhunt shifted about 25 miles (40 kilometers) to the north to the city of Madison, where Sills said the two men burglarized a house and then two men fitting their descriptions were reportedly seen in a Family Dollar store less than a mile away. Authorities had no further signs of the inmates and had no reason to believe they had split up, Sills said.

Multiple agencies contributed to a reward of $60,000 for information leading to the arrests of the two inmates, Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles said.

Monica and Billue were both transfer sergeants at Baldwin State Prison. Monica had been with the Georgia Department of Corrections since October 2009 and Billue since July 2007.

How the two inmates managed to reach and overpower the guards remains under investigation, Sills said.

"They were inside the caged area of the bus," he said. "How they got through the locks and things up to that area I do not know."

Protocol is to have two armed corrections officers on the bus, but the officers don't wear bullet-proof vests during transfers, Corrections Commissioner Greg Dozier said.

"We lost two of our fellow officers, two of our kin. We see our officers as our family," Dozier said.

Monica was 42 and leaves behind a wife, Dozier said. Billue was 58 and is survived by his father, five sisters, two brothers and two sons, said Jim Green, an attorney who's speaking for the Billue family.

"Officer Billue's family asks for prayers for all of those who are now placing their own lives at risk to bring these men to justice and asks anyone who has information that may assist in apprehending these perpetrators to please contact law enforcement," Green said in an email.

The guards were moving the inmates to a diagnostic prison in Jackson, where their next placement was to be determined, Dozier said, adding that inmates do not know their transfer dates ahead of time.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal pledged every state resource necessary to catch the pair.

"The selflessness and courage of these two brave souls will not be forgotten, nor will their sacrifice and service," Deal said in an emailed statement.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said federal resources are being committed to help catch the fugitives. The FBI and U.S. Marshals have joined the investigation, Sills said.

"An attack on any American law enforcement officer is an attack on every American law enforcement officer and the principles we all believe in," Rosenstein told a Senate budget panel in Washington Tuesday morning.

Both escaped inmates were serving long sentences for armed robbery and other crimes. The Department of Corrections said Rowe, 43, has been serving life without parole since 2002, and Dubose, 24, began a 20-year sentence in 2015.

A photo released by the sheriff's office in Elbert County, the site of his most recent conviction, shows Dubose with prominent tattoos. He appears to have a crown tattooed above his right eyebrow, writing above his left eyebrow and large letters covering the entire front of his neck.

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FORSYTH, Ga. – Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier has confirmed that early this morning, two inmates being transported between Hancock State Prison and Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, escaped from custody by overpowering two Baldwin State Prison Transfer Sergeants driving a state prison transport bus with a total of 33 inmates. The officers, Christopher Monica and Curtis Billue, were disarmed by the inmates and were both shot and killed.

The inmates are believed to have carjacked a 2004 green Honda Civic 4 door, with GA License plate RBJ6601. If you see these fugitives or the vehicle, call 911 and do not approach.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of two of our officers, who are our family, and our priority is to locate these fugitives and bring them to justice for this heinous act against those working to protect the public,” said Commissioner Dozier. “We are utilizing full resources of our local, state and national partners and appreciate their support,” continued Dozier.

Christopher Monica, 42, began his career with Department of Corrections in October 2009 as a Correctional Officer at Hancock State Prison. He transferred to Baldwin State Prison in February of 2011. He was promoted to Sergeant at Baldwin State Prison in July of 2012. In July of 2016, Sergeant Monica accepted a job at the Transportation Unit in Milledgeville, Georgia. Sergeant Monica recently accepted a part-time position at Augusta State Medical Prison as well.

Curtis Billue, 58, began his career with Georgia Department of Corrections in July 2007 at Frank Scott Correctional Facility as a Correctional Officer. He later transferred to Georgia Diagnostic Classification Prison in August of 2009. Sergeant Billue transferred to Baldwin State Prison in October 2011. He accepted a position at the Transportation Unit in Milledgeville, Georgia, in March 2013.

Both officers were known for their unwavering commitment to their job and their love of family.

Please be advised of the following information on the escaped inmates, who are armed and dangerous. The public is reminded once again to remain vigilant and call 911 if you see these fugitives.

Donnie Russell Rowe, GDC #0001110632, is a white male, 6’1”, 181lbs with blue eyes and brown hair.  Rowe is serving Life Without Parole for the offense of armed robbery and was housed at Baldwin State Prison in Milledgeville, Ga.

Ricky Dubose, GDC #1000492869, is a white male, 6’1”, 140lbs with blue eyes and brown hair. Dubose is serving a 20-year sentence for armed robbery and was housed at Baldwin State Prison in Milledgeville, Ga.