Lawtey native led agency for 25 years
BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
STARKE— The Florida Department of Corrections has inducted Louie L. Wainwright into its newly formed corrections hall of fame.
In a news release, the agency said it created the hall of fame to honor and recognize former employees, who impacted the agency in lasting and positive ways.
“FDC has a rich history, full of heroes and pioneers who deserve our admiration, recognition and most importantly our remembrance,” said Secretary Ricky Dixon. “Creating the FDC Hall of Fame allows us to formally recognize these men and women whose legacy will forever impact our agency. I believe we are the generation to capture our history, to not only grow and learn, but honor our member’s service and dedication.”
Career milestones
The department said that as the nation’s longest serving corrections secretary, Wainwright was a pioneer in the field.
“In Florida, he established inmate education and job training and was a driving force for transparency,” the department said. “His soft-spoken demeaner, quiet confidence and behind-the-scenes leadership style drove the shift in corrections philosophy.”
Some of Wainwright’s professional accomplishments include:
— 1976; received the American Correctional Associations highest tribute, the E.R. Cass award for outstanding service.
—1976; presented the Florida Sheriff’s Association Distinguished Service Award for “Contributing to the advancement of better law enforcement.”
—1984; Under Secretary Wainwright’s leadership Florida became the first correctional agency in the nation to be fully accredited.
—1986; Accreditation Achievement Award from the Commission of Accreditation for Corrections for his efforts in support of accreditation in Florida and nationwide.
—2001; Appointed to Corrections Foundation Board (re-appointed as President for consecutive terms).
—2021; Following his passing, Corrections Foundation creates the Louie L. Wainwright Scholarship for FDC staff who are enrolled in college and seeking a certification or degree in the criminal justice or corrections-related field.
—2022; First FDC scholarship recipient, Clarissa Davis (Hardee CI, Classification Officer and Chaplain) is selected and awarded funds to continue her education in both Criminal Justice and Biblical Studies.
“Not bad for a country boy from Lawtey”
Wainwright was born in Lawtey and after serving in the Navy during World War II, began his law enforcement career with the Gainesville Police Department in 1947.
Five years later he joined Florida State Prison as a clerk in the inmate identification unit, a position now called classification officer.
In 1955 Wainwright was wounded in an escape attempt that claimed the life of Assistant Superintendent James G. Godwin and wounded another guard.
According to a Telegraph report, the ex-wife of inmate George A. Heroux smuggled a pistol into the facility, and when the inmate was being transferred from his cell, he drew the weapon and demanded to be taken to Superintendent L.F. Chapman’s office. Officials said they believed Heroux intended to force Chapman to drive him out of the prison.
Godwin, seeing the development, ran to his office to retrieve his own weapon, and was shot in the back by Heroux. When the Assistant Superintendent emerged from the office, the inmate fired again, striking Godwin in the chest.
Wainwright, who was serving as captain of the guard, rushed the inmate, along with Officer L.D. Dobbs. Both men were hit in the legs and shoulder.
In 1960 Wainwright was appointed Assistant Superintendent at Avon Park Correctional Institution, later becoming Superintendent. In 1962, Governor Farris Bryant appointed Wainwright to Chief Administrator of the entire corrections system. He remained Director and then Secretary of Florida’s Department of Corrections for a quarter-century, retiring from the position on December 31, 1986.
Wainwright died in 2021 in Tallahassee and is buried at Kingsley Lake Cemetery.
According to his obituary, when asked to comment on his career achievements, Wainwright often responded: “Not bad for a country boy from Lawtey.”
