EATONTON – Two corrections officers are dead and two prisoners are on the run after they reportedly shot and killed the officers in Putnam County.

The Georgia State Patrol and officers from various local departments have mounted an air and ground search involving more than 100 officers spreading outward from the scene.

Authorities are looking for two state prisoners who shot and killed the state prison guards assigned to a prisoner transport bus.

One of the prisoners, Donnie Russell Rowe, also known as Whiskey, is currently serving a life sentence without parole.

He is described as a white male, 6-feet-1, weighing 181 lbs. with blue eyes and brown hair.

The other prisoner, Ricky Duose, 24, is described as a white male 6-feet-1 weighing 140 lbs. with blue eyes and brown hair. He has a long criminal history on various offenses and is serving 20 years for aggravated assault.

The transport bus was heading from Hancock State Prison to Jackson in Butts County.

About 30 inmates were on the transport bus.

They reportedly overpowered the officers on the bus before killing them and escaping. The shooting happened this morning on Highway 16 just west of Sparta near Eatonton. They reportedly escaped in a Honda Civic.

The Honda Civic was reportedly stolen from the Citgo on Long Shoals Road in Putnam County. Their last known direction of travel was on Highway 16 headed back toward Eatonton.

Bruce Billue is a brother of Curtis Billue, 58, one of guards who was shot to death. Curtis Billue had worked for the state department of corrections as a guard for 11 years and lived in Milledgeville, according to his brother. He was a native of McIntyre.

He was a graduate of Clark Atlanta University.

“My brother was the epitome of a state employee,” he said of his brother, adding that he was helpful to other guards and always willing to assist others.