THE NATIONAL BIG HOUSE PRISON MUSEUM
Building a better understanding of the Corrections profession
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IN MEMORIAM
The following lists the correctional personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of California since the state began keeping records of Corrections staff killed in the line of duty.
As we mourn the loss of these brave individuals, may we forever be inspired by the courage and dedication they displayed as they put themselves in harm’s way to maintain public safety.
To see a nationwide list by state please click on this link: http://cpof.org/fallen-officers.
GILBERT CORTEZ
End of Watch — March 25, 2013
A C.O. with the state Corrections K-9 unit out of the California Rehabilitation Center, Officer Cortez was killed in a vehicle accident as his unit convoy was enroute to inspect the La Cima Fire Camp in a rural part of San Diego County. His K-9 partner, Mattie, perished with him.
JOSE RIVERA
End of Watch — June 20, 2008
Federal Correctional Officer Jose Rivera, of the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, was attacked by two inmates as he attempted to lock down the housing unit in preparation for the 4 p.m. head count. Officer Rivera was stabbed with inmate-manufactured weapons, suffering 28 facial wounds, seven slashes, and 21 puncture wounds, the fatal blow striking his heart.
ALMA ZAVALA
End of Watch — March 15, 2008
Calipatria State Prison C.O. Alma Zavala died due to complications from Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia (MRSA). It is believed that Officer Zavala contracted MRSA as a result of her prison work environment.
PABLO VAZQUEZ
End of Watch — Jan. 25, 2007
California State Prison, Sacramento, C.O. Pablo Vazquez had just completed a shift of inmate supervision at UC Davis Medical Center and was headed back to the prison when he was killed in a vehicle accident.
MANUEL A. GONZALEZ
End of Watch — Jan. 10, 2005
While working at the California Institution for Men in Chino, Officer Manny Gonzalez was stabbed to death by an inmate — the appointed spokesman for a portion of the prison population — who was permitted to leave his cell to speak with other inmates about their complaints.
ROBERT JORDAN
End of Watch — Jan. 12, 2003
Following an altercation with an inmate at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, Officer Robert Jordan suffered a fatal heart attack.
MYLENE G. ZALAR
End of Watch — Sept. 11, 1997
Assigned to the Transportation Unit at the California Institution for Men in Chino, Officer Zalar was killed in a traffic accident while enroute to pick up a prisoner for transport.
PAUL B. BERIDON
End of Watch — Sept. 11, 1997
Assigned to the Transportation Unit at the California Institution for Men in Chino, Officer Beridon was killed in a traffic accident while enroute to pick up a prisoner for transport.
SCOTT WILLIAMS
End of Watch — April 3, 1997
While on duty at the U.S. Penitentiary in Lompoc, federal Correctional Officer Scott Williams was stabbed and killed in an attack that also injured four other Lompoc officers.
INEASIE M. BAKER
End of Watch — Aug. 9, 1996
Youth Counselor Ineasie Baker was murdered at the Heman G. Stark Youth Training School. Her body was found several days later in a county landfill.
RODNEY FOSTER
End of Watch — Nov. 17, 1995
While on urgent official business enroute to pick up up a hepatitis vaccine, Correctional Officer Rodney Foster was killed in a highway accident when his county vehicle was rear-ended and sent crashing into a semi-tractor trailer.
JUDITH ANN HENKEL
End of Watch — Feb. 3, 1995
North Kern State Prison C.O. Judith Ann Henkel sufferd a fatal heart attack shortly after breaking up an inmate fight.
ARNOLD GARCIA
End of Watch — April 4, 1994
Group Supervisor Arnold Garcia of Los Angeles County Probation Department was bludgeoned to death by two juveniles during an escape attempt.
LESLIE MACARRO
End of Watch — May 20, 1988
Heman G. Stark Youth Training School Group Supervisor Leslie Macarro was struck and killed by a vehicle while chasing a juvenile inmate attempting to escape after being transported to a Los Angeles hospital. The inmate was then apprehended by Supervisor Macarro’s partner.
HOWELL “HAL” BURCHFIELD
End of Watch — June 8, 1985
While conducting a count, San Quentin Correctional Sergeant Burchfield was attacked and stabbed to death by an inmate wielding an inmate-manufactured weapon.
GARY ROWE
End of Watch — Feb. 7, 1983
Correctional Officer Gary Rowe, of the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego, was killed when he discovered an escape attempt and tried to intervene. He was attacked and severely beaten by a group of inmates, and later died of massive head injuries.
CHARLES SICKLES
End of Watch — April 1, 1981
As he attempted to break up a fight between two inmates, Industries Supervisor Charles Sickles was bludgeoned to death by an inmate at San Quentin State Prison.
ALBERT PATCH
End of Watch — Aug. 17, 1980
California Medical Facility Officer Al Patch was stabbed to death by an inmate who had been stabbed and was chasing the inmate who had attacked him.
LOUIS ADAIR
End of Watch — June 5, 1980
Folsom Prison Sergeant Louis Adair died of heart failure after responding to an alarm on the 3rd Floor of the Hosptial.
RICHARD OCHOA
End of Watch — April 26, 1976
San Quentin State Prison C.O. Richard Ochoa was bludgeoned to death by three inmates suspected of attacking him with a weightlifting bar.
JERRY SANDERS
End of Watch — Nov. 27, 1973
Correctional Officer Jerry Sanders was stabbed to death while working J wing at Deuel Vocational Institution. Two inmates were charged in his death. Their first trial resulted in a hung jury; in the second trial, both inmates were found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death. However, the California Supreme Court overturned those convictions and ordered a third trial, which ended in another hung jury. In 1981, the fourth trial resulted in an acquittal for both inmates.
JESUS SANCHEZ
End of Watch — Oct. 6, 1972
California Institution for Men C.O. Sanchez was shot and killed in an ambush by several suspects who were attempting to free a prisoner being transported to court.
RONALD TURNER
End of Watch — Sept. 16, 1971
Folsom State Prison Laundry Supervisor Ronald Turner was stabbed to death while working in the prison’s laundry.
PAUL KRASENES
End of Watch — Aug. 21, 1971
San Quentin C.O. Paul Krasenes was one of three officers killed in the line of duty on the most violent day in San Quentin history: “Black August.” Officer Krasenes was stabbed and beaten, and his throat slashed during a prison uprising brought about when inmate George Jackson attempted to escape from the Adjustment Center using a weapon smuggled in by Jackson’s attorney.
FRANK DELEON
End of Watch — Aug. 21, 1971
San Quentin C.O. Frank DeLeon was one of three officers killed in the line of duty on the most violent day in San Quentin history: “Black August.” Officer DeLeon was shot in the back of the head during a prison uprising brought about when inmate George Jackson attempted to escape from the Adjustment Center using a weapon smuggled in by Jackson’s attorney.
JERE GRAHAM
End of Watch — Aug. 21, 1971
San Quentin Correctional Sgt. Jere Graham was one of three officers killed in the line of duty on the most violent day in San Quentin history: “Black August.” Sgt. Graham was shot between the eyes during a prison uprising brought about when inmate George Jackson attempted to escape from the Adjustment Center using a weapon smuggled in by Jackson’s attorney.
LEO DAVIS
End of Watch — July 21, 1971
San Quentin C.O. Leo Davis was stabbed to death by two inmates while guarding a prisoner who was a witness to the July 1970 murder of Officer William Shull at Soledad.
ROBERT MCCARTHY
End of Watch — March 4, 1971
Central Correctional Training Facility Officer Robert McCarthy was killed by an inmate during a nightly head count. He was stabbed in the neck when by a prisoner who called him to his cell under the pretext of mailing a letter. The inmate was awaiting trial on charges of assaulting an officer in December 1970, and was also involved in the Aug. 21, 1971, riot at San Quentin that resulted in the murder of three officers.
WILLIAM SHULL
End of Watch — July 23, 1970
Soledad Prison C.O. William Shull was killed by inmates in retaliation for the deaths of three inmates the previous year. Officer Shull was stabbed more than 40 times with a metal file that had been sharpened into a shank.
JOHN MILLS
End of Watch — Jan. 16, 1970
Soledad Officer John Mills was beaten to death by three inmates in retaliation for the deaths of three inmates the previous year.
RALPH CANNING
End of Watch — April 23, 1965
San Quentin State Prison Textile Products Foreman Ralph Canning was killed when an inmate stabbed him 18 times.
CONNIE PROCK
End of Watch — June 26, 1963
Deuel Vocational Institution Officer Connie Prock was killed by two inmates as he escorted a group of inmates to the shower. He was stabbed numerous times in the neck, back, chest, and face. Though severely wounded, Prock was able to break free and run down two flights of stairs, where he collapsed at his sergeant’s feet and identified one of his attackers by name. He succumbed to his wounds at the prison hospital a short time later. Both inmates were found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to five years to life in December 1963.
FRANK RANKIN
End of Watch — Jan. 30, 1960
Yreka Work Camp Correctional Lt. Frank Rankin Jr. drowned in the Klamath River as he and an inmate attempted to string an aerial TV antenna across the river. The two were using a guide rope to pull their boat across the turbulent river. The bow of the boat went under the water, which caused the boat to immediately capsize. They were both thrown into the raging, freezing waters. Lt. Rankin’s body was recovered several weeks later.
VERN MACKIN
End of Watch — Jan. 14, 1952
Correctional Officers Vern Mackin and Charles Wiget of San Quentin, were stabbed to death by two inmates during an escape attempt. Both inmates were convicted of the crimes and executed in 1958.
CHARLES WIGET
End of Watch — Jan. 14, 1952
Correctional Officers Charles Wiget and Vern Mackin were stabbed to death by two inmates during an escape attempt. Both inmates were convicted of the crimes and executed in 1958.
RAYMOND MESSER
End of Watch — Aug. 11, 1951
Lancaster Correctional Officer Raymond Messer was stabbed to death during a bed check when he discovered an inmate in possession of weapons.
WILLIAM MILLER
End of Watch — May 3, 1946
Alcatraz Prison Officers William Miller and Harold Stites were killed during an escape attempt by several inmates who had gained control of the prison’s arsenal and took nine officers hostage, locking them in two separate cells. When the inmates realized the officers had concealed the key to the outside, they began firing their weapons into the cells, wounding all of the officers. When other officers and the U.S. Marines stormed the facility, a battle ensued. Officer Stites, a member of the rescue team, was shot and killed, and six other officers were wounded. Officer Miller, who was one of the original nine officers taken hostage, died from wounds he suffered when the inmates shot into the cells. In all, 14 officers were wounded and two were killed.
HAROLD STITES
End of Watch — May 3, 1946
Alcatraz Prison Officers Harold Stites and William Miller were killed during an escape attempt by several inmates who had gained control of the prison’s arsenal and took nine officers hostage, locking them in two separate cells. When the inmates realized the officers had concealed the key to the outside, they began firing their weapons into the cells, wounding all of the officers. When other officers and the U.S. Marines stormed the facility, a battle ensued. Officer Stites, a member of the rescue team, was shot and killed, and six other officers were wounded. Officer Miller, who was one of the original nine officers taken hostage, died from wounds he suffered when the inmates shot into the cells. In all, 14 officers were wounded and two were killed.
ROYAL CLINE
End of Watch — May 23, 1938
Alcatraz Prison Officer Royal Cline was beaten to death with a hammer by three inmates attempting to escape.
WILLARD JOHNSTON
End of Watch — Feb. 24, 1938
Folsom State Prison Guard* Willard Johnston was killed when he was struck by a pick ax while trying to keep one inmate from assaulting another.
CLARENCE LARKIN
End of Watch — Sept. 24, 1937
Folsom State Prison Warden Clarence Larkin and Guard* Harry Martin were stabbed to death during an attack by seven inmates attempting to escape. Two of the inmates were shot and killed during the incident; the remaining five were convicted, sentenced to death, and executed.
HARRY MARTIN
End of Watch — Sept. 24, 1937
Folsom State Prison Guard* Harry Martin and Warden Clarence Larkin were stabbed to death during an attack by seven inmates attempting to escape. Two of the inmates were shot and killed during the incident; the remaining five were convicted, sentenced to death, and executed.
CHARLES GILLIES
End of Watch — Nov. 24, 1927
When rioting inmates attempted a prison break on Thanksgiving Day, Folsom State Prison Guard* Charles Gillies suffered a fatal heart attack as he manned the front gate of the facility. Another officer, Ray Singleton, was stabbed to death in the uprising that continued for two days before officers were able to regain control of the prison.
RAY SINGLETON
End of Watch — Nov. 24, 1927
Folsom State Prison Guard* Ray Singleton was stabbed to death by several inmates at the start of a planned riot and attempted prison break on Thanksgiving Day. The incident that lasted two days also claimed the life of C.O. Charles Gillies, who suffered a fatal heart attack as he manned the prison’s front gate.
BRANCH MILLER
End of Watch — Aug. 20, 1925
San Quentin State Guard* Branch Miller was accidentally shot and killed by other officers after six inmates forced him into a boat and took him hostage during an escape attempt. Unaware the fleeing inmates had taken a hostage, responding officers opened fire, killing Miller. The inmates continued their escape, but were apprehended three miles away. All were charged with Officer Miller’s murder.
JOHN DREWRY
End of Watch — Oct. 16, 1914
Folsom Prison Correctional Sgt. John Drewry was stabbed to death during an escape attempt.
WILLIAM COTTER
End of Watch — July 27, 1903
Folsom Prison Guard* William Cotter was killed during an escape of 13 prisoners. The prisoners, who were armed with knives and razors, attacked the prison staff, stabbing and killing Officer Cotter and seriously wounding several other staff members. The suspects then took the officers’ guns and escaped from the prison by using the officers as human shields as they fled. Two suspects were shot and killed during the ensuing manhunt. The remaining 11 were arrested and returned to prison. Two were executed for the murder and one committed suicide in his cell.
* The classification from Guard to Correctional Officer took place May 21, 1944.