| Officer DeMarse Slain Unidentified Inmate Held After Attack |
| A 55-year-old corrections officer at the Marquette State Prison was stabbed to death by a prison inmate early this morning. Earl F. DeMarse, an employee at the prison since 1947, was dead on arrival at Marquette General Hospital North after being attacked about 6:15 in the prison auditorium. A suspect was taken into custody and is being held in solitary confinement while the incident is investigated by state police and the county prosecutor's office. Warden Raymond J. Buchkoe said DeMarse had reported for the start of the day shift at 6 a.m. and was sitting in the suditorium when the apparently unprovoked attack occured. DeMarse received multiple stab wounds, and was first taken to the prison hospital bleeding profusely. An ambulance arrived, and DeMarse was taken to Marquette General Hospital North where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Buchkoe said it was the first death of an employee in a Michigan prison since 1963, and the first death by stabbing of an employee at the Marquette institution since 1921. DeMarse had been employed at the prison since Feb. 3, 1947. He was officer in charge of activities in the prison auditorium. He resided at 510 Summit St. in Marquette. Investigation of the death is headed by Det. Sgt. John Seppanen of Negaunee state police post. DeMarse was born Oct. 9, 1918, in Marquette, and had been a life-long resident. He was a member of St. Michael's Church, and he was a veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; a daughter, Mrs. Terry (Cheryl) Pitcher, Traverse City; a son, Ronald, of Marquette; two brothers, Hugh and Douglas, both of Marquette; and a granddaughter, Heidi Pitcher. The body was taken to Fassbender Funeral Home. |