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.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bradley McNew, who had just finished his shift, was shot after witnessing an armed man “violently throwing [a woman against a] vehicle” and trying to intervene
“Officers Barbosa Jr., Stanislaus and McQueen are shining examples of what it means to be a DOC hero,” the NYCDOC commissioner said, adding their training averted a tragedy
Capt. Michelle Quintero, who ran Madison County jail, died while driving to work when a dam broke and she was caught in the floodwaters
Chief of Department Hazel Jennings was awarded the Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize for her leadership of the department’s response to the pandemic
Daniel O’Beirne and Jordan Reed, two strangers with fire and EMS backgrounds, worked together to save a driver whose semi-truck struck a pole and burst into flames
The COs noticed a car veer off the highway and roll about six times while they were returning to Valley State Prison during a medical transport
Luis Castrillon, who was hired by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in February, died from a medical issue
NYSCOPBA said the inmate scaled a fence and almost made it to the top
Daniel O’Beirne was on his way to work when he noticed a tractor-trailer had struck a pole and burst into flames
The intense video shows an officer performing CPR on an inmate as another grabs a fire extinguisher
The officer broke four of his ribs and suffered a minor concussion after leaping over a banister in an attempt to catch the suspect
Randy Rumler worked as a CO at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility for more than two decades
Chris Stanek, 46, who works at South Woods State Prison, was taken from his home by ambulance on May 20 after falling ill
The parking lot at the Turner Guilford Knight Corrections Center turned into a blood donation center
Sgt. Gilbert Polanco’s wife struggled to maintain her composure, collapsing into her daughter’s arms
Joseph L. Dunn Jr., 60, was a safety officer with the state Department of Corrections since 1984
Al Huhta was working when a 1-year-old girl ran from her home and toward the water
Chris Stanek has been fighting for his life since he was hospitalized nearly two months ago
Richard Bianchi, 53, had been tasked with working at a hospital where an inmate was receiving care
Officials said no one was working on the tree; part of it sheared off and struck Jodi Housenga
Officer Sheng Lao was on her way home from work when she saw a man lying unconscious in his driveway
A man was arrested after allegedly trying to steal a corrections officer’s vehicle following a car crash
Robert Marrero, a former New York corrections officer, 9/11 responder and cancer survivor, spent more than a month in the hospital battling COVID-19
“They are the first responders who do not get much credit,” a retired state corrections officer said
Stephen Goodson, 31, was driving his motorcycle when a van carrying multiple passengers turned into the path of his bike
Jason Ellis was stopping at a grocery store on his way home from a night shift on April 21 when he noticed flames coming from a front porch across the street
This is a video by officers from around the country, telling a story very few hear
Agent Kaitlin Cowley, 30, was leaving a work assignment when her car left the roadway and struck a tree
DOC officials said Lamar Robinson-King died of a medical issue unrelated to COVID-19
John Okafor was working at his assigned inmate pod at the Tulsa County jail when the incident occurred
Sonoma County Jail Sgt. Amanda Lee came up with the idea to order group meals from the jail three times a week to support local restaurants
A Bristol County Sheriff’s Office spokesman confirmed that Stacey Merkman, 44, did not die from COVID-19
The correctional officers said many of their deliveries have brought tears to the recipients’ eyes