In 1994 Charles Farquhar was the oldest warden in Alabama and had been with the department for 38 years. His wife, Doris, worked for the corrections department since 1972 as a clerk.

On October 23, 1994, 74-year-old Farquhar was murdered on the grounds, along with his wife Doris and two trustees. A 27-year-old inmate who was serving two concurrent 20-year sentences for theft and attempted murder of a police officer attacked the warden. He bludgeoned him to death before shooting the two inmate trustees. 68-year-old Doris Farquhar was inside the warden’s house. The inmate beat her, tied her up, and then set the house on fire while she was still alive, in an attempt to cover up any evidence of the crime.

The inmate thought he should have the weekend off instead of being asked to pick up pecans that fell from a tree at the ranch.

Charles and Doris left behind two sons, Robbie and Andy.  In a joint statement to the Tuscaloosa News following the deaths of their parents, they said “If nothing else, we would hope that this tragedy would serve as a wakeup call to the citizens of this state that the confinement of felons does not come without costs.

“If the public supports tougher penalties for criminal activity, then they must also support the provision of adequate resources to carry out those penalties.”

Noting that corrections personnel “place their lives at risk every day,” the sons said,”in light of this tragedy we hope their efforts are better appreciated.”

Our thoughts and prayers stay with their family and thank them for all they have done for corrections since.