
Corey Proulx
Corey Proulx: Wisconsin Prosecutors Charge 2 Teens in Death of Corey Proulx, Prison Assaults
By CC News Network
MERRILL, Wisconsin — 2 teens have been charged in connection with the death of Corey Proulx, a corrections officer at Lincoln Hills School for Boys, and the assault of another employee, prosecutors announced last June 2024.
Rian Nyblom, 17, faces charges of being a party to felony murder with special circumstances and two counts of battery by a prisoner. When he appeared in court, Lincoln County Judge Galen Bayne-Allison set his cash bond at just $20,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the victims, their families, or Lincoln Hills staff.
- Felony Murder – Battery, Special Circumstances (Wis. Stat. § 940.03), a felony, with the modifier as a Party to a Crime (Wis. Stat. § 939.05).
- Battery by Prisoners (Wis. Stat. § 940.20(1)), a felony, with the modifier as a Party to a Crime (Wis. Stat. § 939.05).
- Felony Murder could result in life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 20 to 40 years.
- Battery by Prisoners (each count) could lead to up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000, with the possibility of consecutive sentences if more than one count is charged.
The charges follow those filed earlier against 16-year-old Javarius Hurd, who is accused of second-degree reckless homicide, felony murder, and two counts of battery by a prisoner in the death of Corey Proulx, the 49-year-old guard at the youth facility.
- First-Degree Reckless Homicide (Wis. Stat. § 940.02(1)), a felony, Class B.
- Battery by Prisoners (Wis. Stat. § 940.20(1)), a felony, Class H.
- Battery by Prisoners (Wis. Stat. § 940.20(1)), a felony, Class H.
- Penalties: 15 to 60 years in prison.
Proulx died the day after being attacked on June 24. According to the criminal complaint, Hurd initially threw a cup of what he believed to be soap in the face of a 25-year-old female guard. He then assaulted her before running into the courtyard. Proulx pursued Hurd to intervene but was struck repeatedly. He fell to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement. Proulx was airlifted to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Investigators said Hurd confessed to planning the attack on the female guard, who had recently treated him unfavorably. Nyblom, according to the complaint, assisted Hurd in acquiring the cup of soap and played a role in the premeditated assault.
Nyblom told investigators that after getting the soap, he and Hurd had initially planned to attack the guard with a different strategy. They later decided to use the conditioner to surprise her with a “splash” before physically assaulting her. Nyblom said he witnessed Hurd assault Proulx and saw the corrections officer fall to the ground.
The second victim, the female guard, was treated at a local hospital and later released.
Hurd and Nyblom both face further court hearings, with Nyblom’s scheduled after.
Proulx Remembered as Dedicated Officer for the State of Wisconsin
Corey Proulx, who had worked at Lincoln Hills on and off for years, was remembered as a dedicated public servant. Governor Tony Evers ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor.
“Corey was a dedicated public servant who led with kindness and compassion,” Evers said in a statement.
The Department of Corrections (DOC) described Proulx as a “dedicated professional, colleague, and friend” who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Corey Proulx as a Person
Corey Proulx went to work on what should have been a typical day, ready to fulfill his role with dedication and care. Known for his compassion and calm demeanor, Corey was a correctional officer who believed in helping inmates and making a difference. However, the day took a horrific turn in the final 20 minutes of his shift.
According to family accounts, an inmate attacked Corey’s partner by throwing soapy water into her eyes before striking her. Corey, seeing what had happened, ran across the day room and followed the inmate outside to the basketball court. Witnesses recall Corey approaching the inmate calmly, asking, “What was that for?” before the inmate began punching him repeatedly. Corey fell unconscious and, despite efforts by his injured partner, was tragically unresponsive when help arrived.
Corey’s sister recounted the events with deep pain and frustration, adding that the correctional officers had no means of protection during the attack. “They aren’t allowed to have anything, let alone use it,” she said, highlighting systemic issues in the prison system. She also shared her family’s disappointment with promises made by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “Governor Evers told my grandparents to their face at Corey’s celebration of life that he would order and see change for protection to those guards. Yet, when it came down to it, he told the judge not to change anything.”
Beyond the tragedy, Corey’s family wants the world to remember the man he was—a man defined by love, kindness, and generosity. Corey was deeply devoted to his family, teaching his nieces and nephews how to fish, sharing his passion with them. His sister described how he went out of his way to help his disabled nephew by giving him a job doing line work. “When he brought him on, his nephew was so good at it he could leave him unattended, knowing it would get done,” she shared proudly.
Corey’s mechanical skills were another way he showed love. He often fixed family members’ cars, insisting they call him instead of going to a mechanic. “He did it so many times you can’t even count,” his sister said, reflecting on his selflessness.
Corey’s story is not just one of loss, but of systemic failures, unfulfilled promises, and a life lived with profound love for others. His family continues to call for change to ensure correctional officers like Corey have the protection they need, so no other family endures such a devastating loss.
Ongoing Investigations and Staffing Challenges
The incident has prompted further scrutiny of staffing and safety at Lincoln Hills, a youth facility that has faced significant challenges in recent years.
As of March 2024, the facility reported a staff vacancy rate of 35%, but this was largely due to unplanned leaves. According to Rep. Michael Schraa, the situation has improved after a raise for correctional officers was implemented.
Schraa, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Corrections, stated that despite staffing issues, he did not believe the incident was related to a shortage of staff. He emphasized the difficulties of working in a facility that houses individuals with significant mental health and behavioral challenges.
Lincoln Hills and its counterpart, Copper Lake School for Girls, have been the subject of lawsuits and abuse allegations over the years, including accusations of excessive use of force against detainees. Despite the issues, a recent court-appointed monitor reported improvements in conditions at the facility.
Currently, Lincoln Hills houses 50 boys, according to DOC data.
The case remains under investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, and other state agencies. A status conference is scheduled for January 6, 2025, at 1:45 p.m. in Lincoln County Branch 1 Courtroom, with Judge Galen Bayne-Allison presiding.
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