By C1 Staff
TUCSON — A corrections officer is being honored for risking his life to protect an inmate during a riot in September 2012.
CO Mario Figueroa observed a group of 20 inmates assaulting another inmate and rushed to intercede, according to Tuscon News Now.
Other inmates began to assault Officer Figueroa with broom handles, hitting him across the face and back according to AZ Star Net.
“We all have it in the back of our minds when we join the department, things can happen,” he told Tucson News Now. “That’s why we join.”
Despite the injuries he received, Figueroa was able to get the inmate to safety.