By Jessica Nolte
The Virginian-Pilot
RICHMOND, Va. — A prison officer and K-9 were stabbed Saturday night in an assault at the Sussex I State Prison, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections.
The officer was stabbed six times around 6 p.m. and had wounds on his hand, arm and side, according to a news release. He called for help and an officer responded with her K-9. The dog was also stabbed.
The department said the officer, who has been with the department for 20 years, was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released. The K-9 needed surgery but was expected to live, according to a news release.
The department said it believes nine inmates were involved in the assault and several other lit fires, broke sprinkler heads and refused to return to their cells.
A strike team responded to the prison and secured the inmates shortly after 11 p.m. — about five hours after the sergeant was stabbed.
The department did not provide information about the motive for the stabbing. It has not publicly identified the inmates believed to be involved but said it “expects to seek criminal charges.”
The Sussex I State Prison houses approximately 1,125 maximum-security inmates in Waverly. Inmates at the facility have long sentences, usually life or multiple life sentences.
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