George Everett Miller

NEVADA APPEAL

September 17, 1954

GUARD KILLED IN PRISON BREAK

Three Convicts Attempt Escape: Two Recaptured

Two of the three convicts who made good their escape from a state prison here about 8 a.m., were captured shortly after 11 by prison guard Jack Murray and Mitchell Stacy of Carson, a hunter, less than a mile from the prison.

The pair, Don H. Gulonsen and William R. Burman, 23, who made their escape with Gene Liebig, 20, in “a hail of gunfire” in which prison guard George E. Miller of Carson City was killed, gave themselves up to Murray near the tip of Rock Hill, a rocky knoll on the Hendershot ranch.

Liebig was believed to be in the same area, where local police, prison guards and highway patrolmen are beating the bush. A report from the two men captured said that he had been wounded in the escape.

Miller, 59, resident of Carson for more than 40 years and a guard at the prison for the last year and a half, was shot to death after the trio had forced him into the pickup used in the escape. Tower guards fired on the vehicle as it was leaving the gates of the prison.

His body was found in the truck less than half a mile from the prison on the New Empire ranch road shortly after the break.

According to reports, the three men forced their way into the pickup truck with Miller, took him as a hostage, and either drove or forced Miller to drive the truck out the gate.

Roadblocks were immediately set up on all roads leading out of the area by highway patrolmen and local officers. Other western Nevada counties dispatched officers to aid in the search.

The break apparently occurred when Miller drove the truck to the kitchen with the milk supply. The three men apparently led by Liebig, upon who Bernard had reportedly ordered a “close watch” as recently as yesterday, broke into the restricted area, seized Miller and either forced him to drive the truck or held him while one of the felons drove out the gate past the rock quarry.

The truck was riddled with bullets when found. Since it was headed east, evidently the escapees hoped to reach US Highway 50 through the ranch and then strike out, but the accurate shooting of the guards brought the machine to a halt, and the convicts were compelled to scatter on foot in the open country between the prison and Carson River.

September 29, 1951

Last Rites Today for George Miller

Funeral services for George Everett Miller were held this afternoon at 2 in the chapel of LaGrange mortuary.

…Mr. Miller was born Feb, 22, in Stockton, Calif., but had been a resident of Carson for over 40 years. For many years he operated Miller’s auto repair shop on N. Carson. About a year and a half ago he went to work as a prison guard.

Mr. Miller was a long-time member of Warren Engine Co. Flags were flown at half-mast in his honor at state buildings and the firehouse.

He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Phyllis M. Bartel of Carson City; Mrs. Georgeann Bartel, Carson City; and Mrs. Samuel Imelli of Stockton; his mother, Mrs. Luella Kernick, Reno.

Plaque Location & Image

Center Wall Column 9 Row G     View The Plaque