By Star Journal Staff

MERRILL – A 16-year old Lincoln Hills student is in custody at the Lincoln County Jail following his alleged attack on two Lincoln Hills staff members that left one, a 49-year old man, dead.

Corey Proulx was declared brain-dead Tuesday at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. According to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Proulx had returned to serve as a youth counselor at Lincoln Hills School last spring after briefly leaving the school two years earlier.

Javarius M. Hurd of Madison is being held on a $100,000 cash bond. He is charged with second degree reckless homicide, felony murder-battery, special circumstances and two counts of battery by prisoners.

According to a press release, Lincoln County dispatch center received a 911 call from the school just before 8 p.m. June 24, advising a student had assaulted two staff members, one of whom collapsed.

Proulx was flown to a local hospital from the scene due to critical injuries.  A 25-year old female staff member was treated for her injuries and released and is expected to make a full recovery.

“It is with tremendous sadness and regret that I announce the loss of a dedicated professional, colleague, and friend in the line of duty,” said Jared Hoy, Department of Corrections (DOC) secretary. “A career in corrections, with its dual mission to protect the public and guide individuals toward rehabilitation, can be demanding and requires so many sacrifices for our staff and our families, and Corey made the ultimate sacrifice. Our DOC family is mourning Corey’s loss, and we are keeping all of his family members and friends in our thoughts.”

No future court appearances have been scheduled. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and is being assisted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin State Patrol and Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.

Lincoln Hills – Copper Lake is Wisconsin’s only youth prison.