Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant John Dennard was killed when he was stabbed with a shank by two inmates who attacked him and other guards in the main housing unit at Union Correctional Institution. He was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Three other guards who suffered stab wounds recovered from their injuries. Both inmates were convicted of first-degree murder. One was sentenced to death but later had his sentence commuted to life. The other suspect was sentenced to life. In 2000 he received a new trial. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years.
Survivors
Sergeant Dennard was survived by his mother, brother, and six sisters, 14 nieces and six nephews.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-A66A9332- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Dennard served with the Florida Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Florida. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Dennard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant John S. Dennard is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Florida Department of Corrections, 11 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John S. Dennard's cause is highlighted.
How John S. Dennard Compares
Offender Outcome
Commuted to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John S. Dennard is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John S. Dennard was killed by edged weapon; shank.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Florida Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
