Portion Of Hwy 21 To Be Named For Slain Holman Correctional Officer

March 28, 2017

A portion of Alabama Highway 21 near Atmore will be named the “Alabama Correctional Officer Kenneth L. Bettis Memorial Highway”.

Bettis, 44, was assaulted and stabbed by an inmate at the Holman Correctional Facility on September 1, 2016, after refusing to serve the inmate an extra lunch tray. He died from his injury on September 16.

Bettis served the State of Alabama Department of Corrections for seven years, with his entire career at Holman. He was a decorated combat veteran who served in Iraq with the 142nd Battlefield Surveillance Brigade out of Decatur.

“Officer Bettis was known among his colleagues as a firm, but fair corrections officer, and was highly respected for his work ethic and dedicated service to his profession,” according to Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn.

The Alabama Legislature has voted to name nearly five miles of Alabama Highway 21 from I- 65 to Smithfield Road as  the “Alabama Correctional Officer Kenneth L. Bettis Memorial Highway”. This includes the portion of Highway 21 near the Holman and Fountain correctional facilities.

The bill will be signed during a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. April 12 in the Old House Chambers of the Alabama State Capitol.

Comments

One Response to “Portion Of Hwy 21 To Be Named For Slain Holman Correctional Officer”

  1. eight on March 28th, 2017 10:04 pm

    Bravo! Mr. Bettis was not only a good C.O. but an outstanding person. I’m glad I got to know him.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News