One of two officers killed when a pair of prisoners escaped in Putnam County early Tuesday morning was remembered by family members and colleagues as a strong and dedicated public servant and military veteran.
Curtis Billue, 58 was shot and killed along with fellow officer Christopher Monica. They were transporting inmates in a state prison bus and were overpowered.
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Billue's niece, Stephanie Bridges, remembers visiting him during summers at his home in McIntyre, Ga. His personality was a mix of funny and serious, she said.
“He would always take you to do fun things,” she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She recalled “going to get ice cream at the corner store, going to buy a toy or something your parent wouldn't buy but your uncle would.”
Billue had worked for the Georgia Department of Corrections for 10 years. He served at three facilities in Milledgeville and Jackson before transferring to the transportation unit in Milledgeville in 2013, according to the department. Monica and Billue were known for remaining committed to their jobs and loving their families, a statement from the department said.
“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,” Department of Corrections Commissioner Gregory Dozier said.
Billue was the 21st officer to be shot and killed in the country this year, and the fourth in the state.
Billue served in the U.S. Army for 11 years, from 1981 to 1992, and was a captain in the infantry branch, an Army spokesman confirmed.
“He was the uncle in the military that you looked to as the big, strong uncle,” said Bridges, who now lives in Texas.
He received several awards for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Billue was one of eight siblings and had two sons.
Bridges said the family is remaining private and holding up “as best they can.”
“Everyone in our family, we’re all hard workers. Everyone one of us has been raised to believe that your roots and everything that you do is centered in hard work and consideration for your family and for everyone around you,” said Bridges, who added that these ideals especially apply to her uncle.
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