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Inmate Accused Of Killing Fla. Prison Guard

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — A correctional officer in a north Florida prison has been killed by an inmate, according to the Department of Corrections.

Authorities on Monday said 24-year-old Sgt. Ruben Thomas was fatally stabbed by a handmade weapon at Columbia Correctional Institution near Lake City.

A second guard, William Brewer, was injured during the attack Sunday night. Brewer was treated at a hospital and released.

Inmate Richard Franklin, 37, was accused of attacking the guards.

He is serving a life sentence for several charges, including the 2004 murder of a Bethune-Cookman College student in Daytona Beach, battery on a law enforcement officer and escape.

Franklin will be transferred to a maximum security prison, and the killing will be investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Thomas, a six-year veteran, had a young daughter and was engaged to be married.

Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement that he was saddened by the death and offered condolences to the victim's family and co-workers.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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