Two detention officers walk off job

Two Curry County jail detention officers walked off their night-shift jobs Wednesday, Administrator Keith Norwood said.

Norwood said three officers still at the jail from a prior shift volunteered to continue working until others could be called into relieve them.

Undersheriff Wesley Waller said he and two deputies also responded to the jail about 8 p.m. after receiving a call for assistance. They remained at the jail until about 10:30 p.m., Waller said.

The night shift — 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. — is typically staffed by about five people, Norwood said. The jail houses an average of 250 inmates in two buildings.

“We were never in any danger,” Norwood said. “I appreciate that (the sheriff’s office) did respond to that call, but there was ample staff.”