Former GA Department of Corrections Officer Fired, Arrested After Inmate's Death

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A former Georgia Department of Corrections officer has been arrested after the death of an inmate at the Augusta State Medical Prison.

Roderick Hayes, 39, died following an altercation, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Authorities say Lloyd Edward Hopkins, 51, was fired from the Georgia Department of Corrections and arrested Sunday for failing to follow policies and procedures while working at the Augusta State Medical Prison.

Hayes had been sentenced to 25 years in state custody for trafficking people for labor or sexual servitude and was serving a 10-year sentence for another charge, and Hayes was sentenced to prison by the State in July 2018.

Authorities say Hayes' body has been turned over to the county coroner and will be transported to the GBI medical examiner's office to determine the official cause of death, and the death is under investigation by the Office of Professional Standards of the GDC.

According to authorities, Hopkins has been charged with one count of murder, one count of aggravated assault and violation of oath by a public officer, and is currently being held without bail at the Columbia County Detention Center.