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| N.J. Prison Officer Shot Dead; Co-Worker Prime Suspect |
| By Vineland Daily Journal |
| Published: 08/05/2003 |
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The tale of two romancing corrections officers came to a tragic end when a Millville woman was shot to death after a domestic argument, according to state police. Teneka M. Milbourne, 26, was found dead August 2 in her boyfriend's home, Sgt. Kevin Rehmann said. The suspect, Jonathan K. Norman, 31, walked into the Woodstown station at 2:35 p.m. and revealed that Milbourne was dead. He was charged with murder and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. He was held at Salem County jail on $350,000 cash bail. Both worked at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, said Deirdre Fedkenheuer, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections. Norman already worked there when Milbourne joined the staff in May 2000. 'They were both senior corrections officers,' she said. Although details of their relationship were sketchy, Cumberland County Prosecutor Ronald J. Casella said the pair had a son. Both were trained to carry a gun, but it is not known if a government-issued firearm played a part in the incident. 'Anyone who is not qualified to have a gun would be disqualified to work there,' Casella said. Results from an autopsy conducted August 3 should be ready in six to eight weeks, Rehmann said. Meanwhile, investigators continued searching Norman's home. 'Our detectives worked all night the other night, and they were up this morning,' he said. At South Woods, members of the state's Critical Incidence Stress Management Team already are counseling workers. The squad is dispatched to state prisons whenever there is a death and stays as long as its needed. Counseling is especially important for corrections officers, who have some of the most stressful jobs in law enforcement, according to Fedkenheuer. 'They are responsible for maintaining peace and security in the prisons on the tiers,' she said. 'Corrections officers have the toughest beat.' Cadets and their families are given instructions on how to effectively handle stress during their 16-week training seminar. Still, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees maintains that more attention should be paid to the mental state of corrections workers -- especially those who carry firearms on the job. 'Stress shortens COs' life-spans and causes marital and family problems. COs also experience high incidences of heart attacks, ulcers and hypertension,' according to the group's Web site. The site also gives information about state and national legislation affecting its membership. For example, a new one-year program in the Connecticut Department of Corrections focuses on communications, stress management, conflict mediation, parenting skills and money and debt management. |
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