Former Tennessee corrections officer killed while fighting in Ukraine

A former Tennessee corrections officer was killed whereas preventing alongside Ukrainian forces within the conflict with Russia, members of the family informed information retailers in what’s the primary identified demise of a U.S. citizen preventing in Ukraine.

Willy Joseph Cancel, a U.S. Marine veteran, was working with a non-public army contracting firm when he was killed Monday, his mom Rebecca Cabrera informed CNN. He was 22.

She additionally stated Cancel’s physique had not but been recovered.

Cancel previously labored for CoreCivic, one of many nation’s largest non-public jail companies, CoreCivic spokesman Matthew Davio informed the Tennessean Friday. In Tennessee, the corporate runs 4 state prisons and a number of other county detention facilities.

“We want to lengthen our condolences to the household and mates of Mr. Cancel, together with his former co-workers on the Trousdale Turner Correctional Heart, the place he was beforehand employed as a correctional officer,” Davio stated.

Trousdale Turner is in Hartsville, Tennessee, about 50 miles northeast of Nashville.

“As a correctional officer, Mr. Cancel served his state and his group by serving to keep a protected, safe setting the place inmates can take part in life-changing reentry packages,” Davio stated. “We’re grateful for his service and saddened by his loss.”

He’s survived by household together with his spouse Brittany Cancel and their 7-month-old child.

“My husband did die in Ukraine,” Brittany Canceltold Fox Information “He went there wanting to assist folks. He had at all times felt that that was his predominant mission in life.”

Tennessee Division of Corrections spokesperson Dorinda Carter additionally launched a press release to The Tennessean.

“Though Mr. Cancel was not a TDOC worker, he selflessly served his state supervising Tennessee offenders,” Carter stated. “The Tennessee Division of Correction is grateful for his service to the state and to our nation. Our condolences are along with his household right now.”

Cancel’s household couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.

This can be a growing story.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

Natalie Neysa Alund is predicated in Nashville at The Tennessean and covers breaking information throughout the South for the USA TODAY Community. Attain her at nalund@tennessean.com and comply with her on Twitter @nataliealund.