By Adrian Rodriguez
The Marin Independent Journal
NOVATO, Calif. — Jere Graham Gordon of Eureka returned to San Quentin State Prison this week for the first time in 45 years. Gordon’s father was Jere P. Graham, a correctional sergeant who was killed in the deadly “San Quentin Six” riot of 1971.
“It’s given me a little bit of closure,” Gordon said somberly, after resting a rose on her father’s dedication plaque. “It’s been healing, celebrating my daddy’s life.”
Gordon and her family were among more than 70 people on Friday who commemorated the 20th anniversary of a memorial dedicated to the 13 correctional officers who have been killed in the line of duty over the prison’s 164-year history.
Family members, friends and corrections officials gathered at the memorial site situated in the main courtyard, past the gates in front of the Adjustment Center, where condemned prisoners are sent when they break prison rules. The memorial site is a brick path through a lawn lined with plaques engraved with names of the deceased.
San Quentin’s honor guard began the ceremony, marching in to “Amazing Grace” played through bagpipes.
The Rev. George Williams, the prison’s Catholic chaplain, gave the invocations that honored officers and paid tribute to the families of the fallen.
“We give thanks to the constant courage, devotion and duty to our (correctional officer) brothers and sisters here, who risk their own lives every day to protect our families and communities,” he said. “May they be strengthened in the task they face and always be supported in the commitment they give.”
Lt. Samuel Robinson, the prison’s public information officer, said the memorial would not have been possible without the work of two correctional officers 30 years ago.
It was after Sgt. Howell Burchfield was stabbed to death in 1985 that correctional officers Frank McNeal and Greg McKinney made sure his legacy wouldn’t be forgotten, Robinson said.
“Back then we had no grief counseling ... no outlet to express, to mourn, to work through this,” said McNeal, who is now retired.
“We came up with an idea: Let’s have a memorial, a way to get through the mourning process,” he said, explaining that they built the memorial through fundraising and volunteer work. “It’s a way for us to remember our past, look forward and to know that we are never alone.”
Kelly Mitchell, chief deputy warden said, ”I’m proud to stand in front of the San Quentin family and friends.
“Courage, bravery, dedication and vigilance are just some of the traits our staff carry each day,” she said. “May these men never be forgotten and may we never add another name to this memorial.”
Robinson conducted a roll call, reading the names of all the fallen officers. A bell rang after each name.
Representatives of the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation, the California Correctional Supervisors’ Organization, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association and the Service Employees International Union’s Local 1000 attended to pay their respects.
Officials presented family members with a commemorative medal glass case. Collectively, the group of 30 laid a wreath on the memorial grounds.
A 21-gun salute rang through the prison walls and “Taps” signaled the closing of the event.
“They do this now once every 10 years,” said Marjorie Burchfield, Howell Burchfield’s daughter.
She is a correctional officer herself, working at Folsom State Prison.
“It brings back this one big family, and it reminds me, his life wasn’t lost in vain,” she said. “This family will always be with us.”
Copyright 2016 The Marin Independent Journal