Deputy Sheriff Danny Lee Elbert, 28, was killed during an inmate escape at the Johnson County Jail in Wrightsville, Georgia, in the early morning hours of April 19, 1990. Elbert had been with the Sheriff’s Office for seven months and was remembered as kind and conscientious; one account notes he once bought shoes for an inmate who had none. During an escape attempt by inmate Jackie Lee Johnson, Johnson fatally shot Deputy Elbert in the head after receiving a .38 caliber handgun that had been smuggled to him by his girlfriend, Sandra Goodwin.

Johnson fled in a stolen patrol car but was captured two days later in Bartow; Goodwin was also taken into custody. Both were charged with murder, found guilty, and sentenced to life in prison for their roles in Elbert’s death. The Johnson County Jail was later named in his honor.

If anyone knew Deputy Elbert or has information about the escape and shooting, please share what you know.