Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Family, friends and former employees are being sought for a ceremony next month honoring three Washington State Penitentiary officers who died in the line of duty.
The ceremony Sept. 18 will be held at the prison to recognize Officer Herbert Briggs, Lt. Rogers Sanders and Sgt. William Cross. The event will be conducted by penitentiary officials and the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial.
Penitentiary employee Lindsey Jones said the prison staff want to reach out to those who knew or worked with the officers and invite them to the ceremony. People are asked to call Jones at (509) 526-6455 for more information.
Briggs died Feb. 12, 1934, after being taken hostage by five prisoners during what became known as the Lincoln Day Riot. At the time of his death, the 64-year old Briggs was the facility’s assistant chief turnkey.
Sanders died Sept. 1, 1978, from injuries sustained in a pipe bomb explosion that occurred Aug. 11, 1978. Two other officers were hurt in the blast.
Cross died June 15, 1979, after being stabbed while assisting another officer searching an inmate they believed was carrying a weapon.