Corrections Officer Heroes
Corrections Officer Heroes highlights the dedication and bravery of those who work within correctional facilities. These stories showcase the exceptional actions and commitment of corrections officers who go above and beyond in their duties. This directory provides articles that honor their service, offering inspiration and recognition for their crucial role in maintaining safety and order. To learn more about the challenges faced by these officers, visit our section on Corrections Officer Safety.
WWE legend Scotty 2 Hotty joined Long Creek Program Worker Justin “Ace” Romero to inspire incarcerated youth through wrestling, mentorship and redemption
Ross Correctional Institution officer Andrew Lansing died on Dec. 25, 2024, after being beaten to death by an inmate
Matthew Martinez has been tethered to a kidney dialysis machine for 11 hours a day and dependent on daily insulin injections to keep him alive since childhood
Newly graduated CO, Joshua Kubel, continues a family tradition of service started by his grandfather
The COs’ work got the man semi-conscious, but he was barely breathing and his lips had turned blue
Kaitlyn Ritnour had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Correctional Institutions Division for five months
Matthew Tidman remains on life support and investigators are pursuing criminal charges
Officer Rickey Cooper had served the Easterling Correctional Facility for nearly 15 years
Organizers want campers to learn how “living the right path” can put them in a position of leadership
NYC mayor calls the officer a ‘hero’ for taking action off-duty to protect others from harm
Jose Rivera lost his life in the line of duty at the age of 22, when he was murdered by two inmates in 2008
Daniel Sincavage was traveling from one area of the correctional facility to another section of the facility when the crash occurred
The death of Willy Joseph Cancel, 22, marks the first known death of an American citizen in the ongoing war
Umpire Jeff Brunner fell to the ground during the first inning of the game
Despite significant injury, Sgt. Dustin Willbanks helped his partner subdue the inmate before others could be hurt
Sgt. Arthur Basher died last month while on post at the county jail
“I went to go load my weapon, called 911 and ran outside,” said Louisville Metro Department of Corrections Officer Maranda Grayson
Sgt. Joshua Caudell’s K-9 team was helping deputies search for the suspect when he was shot
The sergeant was part of a K-9 team searching for a suspect, police said
Corrections USA’s annual awards gala recognizes the “shining examples” of heroism and dedication to public safety that all too often go unnoticed in the corrections profession
The four officers worked together to disarm an inmate who had taken a nurse hostage during a medical checkup last summer
Officer Albert “Chub” Wheat, 50, a father of three, died unexpectedly on Feb. 4
Officer Helen Mae Smith collapsed while on duty last week
Jail Deputy Dane Northcutt was doing a ride-along off-duty with Deputy Noah Rainey; both were pronounced dead at the scene
Corrections Officer Melissa France’s death was due to “complications from a work-related illness,” the sheriff’s office said
The officers’ “quick thinking and courage” saved the man’s life, Sheriff Doug Ulmer said
Ryan Gaudet was driving home when he crashed into a bridge abutment; he was 24
“Sgt. Villarreal went above and beyond the call of duty and put himself at great risk of harm,” said CDCR Secretary Kathleen Allison
Robert Daniel was killed as he attempted to move a group of work release inmates out of harm’s way
The officer was supervising 7 inmates participating in a newly launched work program
Cadet Kevin Reaux died after experiencing a medical episode; he was 59
Anthony Pasquarello was a 15-year veteran of the department “who served with great distinction,” the sheriff said
On December 7, 2020, Officer Dale Franquet faced a near-deadly encounter with a prisoner committed to carrying out a terror attack
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