Correctional Officer Richard Fordham was beaten and strangled to death after being overpowered by two inmates at the Lee County Jail in Dixon.
Both inmates were convicted of his murder and sentenced to 40 to 100 years in prison. One died in prison in December of 2011. The other inmate, who has been denied parole several times, was granted parole in 2012.
Correctional Officer Fordham had served with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department for only six months. A year earlier he had retired from the U.S. Navy after 25 years as Chief Quartermaster. He is survived by his wife and five children.
View more information on C/O Fordham’s page on the Officer Down Memorial Page site