November 20, 2018
Contact: Chris Gautz, GautzC@michigan.gov
517-241-0363 or
Holly Kramer, KramerH@michigan.gov
517-335-3090
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lansing, Mich. – Following the bill signing today by Gov. Rick Snyder making a portion of Highway I-94 in Jackson County to be known as the "Corrections Officers Jack Budd and Josephine McCallum Memorial Highway," MDOC Director Heidi Washington issued the following statement.
“Our corrections officers and correctional staff work hard every day to keep Michigan’s citizens safe, and these two brave officers gave their lives protecting our state,” Washington said. “Designating a portion of this frequently-traveled highway in their memory is a great way to remind others of the sacrifice they made and honor their service.”
Both Josephine McCallum and Jack Budd were murdered by prisoners at the State Prison of Southern Michigan in 1987.
McCallum, a new corrections officer, was sexually assaulted and strangled to death by a prisoner on March 24. Officer Budd was stabbed to death by a prisoner on Dec. 27.
Their deaths led to major changes to the department, including increased training, more staff and breaking up the prison into smaller and more manageable facilities.
At each new corrections officer academy, awards are given out by the department to the top performing recruits in McCallum and Budd’s names.
