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Friends, Officers Honor Fallen Corrections Officer

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- More than 1,500 friends, family and fellow law enforcement officers gathered in Sioux Falls Saturday to honor a fallen corrections officer.

Ronald Johnson was killed last week during two prisoners' failed attempt to escape from the Sioux Falls Penitentiary, where they were serving lengthy sentences.

Warden Doug Weber said the 63-year-old Johnson was held not only by the prison staff but by inmates who set up small memorials to him in their cells. Weber said that is a testimony to respect.

Sgt. Myron Rosheim told the Argus Leader that Johnson was the world's nicest guy. The two worked together for almost 25 years, and Johnson had the balance of temperament between firmness and fairness and a dry sense of humor that helped him supervise inmates.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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