Correctional officer killed at USP-Atwater

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Originally Posted by HACKINIT

I think the purpose of his post was to bring attention to the fact that the BOP is more worried about staff bringing in stuff than the safety of officers, I would not say his statement was out of line...

Thank you.

Two years ago at Leavenworth we had a x-ray to check inmate's stuff. We don't have that anymore. But we do have an x-ray to check staff's stuff.

The purpose of the post was pretty self-explanatory.

[copboy]

They should have been transferred immediately. I would imagine Lompoc or Florence.

[hack4hire]

Originally Posted by Watchdog

Guerrero and Sablan

I'm pretty sure we had Sablan a few years ago...grrrrrr. My first question when told about this last night was "Are we locked down"?...A BOP wide national lockdown is in order anytime a STAFF MEMBER is MURDERED and that's exactly what happened to Officer Rivera...I'm so angry i can't put into words what I feel, other then to say the acts of this angency and it's managers disgusts me.

[Southernguardian]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this fallen brother, as well to my fellow brothers and sisters in Atwater. Rest in peace brother. We will never forget you!!

[bubajay]

the more I hear the more I read I get more and more PO'ED. check out SF GATE news paper the comments after the story are just disgusting.. I go back tomarrow to ATW and dont know how Im gonna react when im there. ive been off fri and sat. im sittin here at home with my family realizing how important it is to be here with them.

[bubajay]

un fn believeable just got off the phone with some fellow atw co's. I wish I could say more. this situation is a complete travesty. watch your back brothers and sisters stay strong and watch out for each other. this should have never happened! the info I got has made my blood boil. it will all come out in due time.. Im just a FNG with no voice.....

[amethystcontessa]

The following was posted on the Merced Sun Star's website in reference to today's article. I think Lt. Torix sums it up.

Open letter to the Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons: I am the Training Lieutenant at FCC Victorville, having served 28 years with the BOP. I have provided training to many of the BOP staff who are reading this letter. In every class, I stress policy, procedure, and that taking "short cuts" can get someone killed. Tell me sir, how do I explain to the new staff members that a brother officer was killed because the Bureau is taking "short cuts" to cut costs? Tell me sir, how do explain to them that they can't have a stab vest, carry an ASP Baton, or carry pepper spray that could save their life, when every state correctional facility in the U.S. makes those items mandantory equipment for every officer? Tell me sir, how did you explain it to the dead officer's wife? I look out into the class room full of people, and most of them are young enough to be my grand-kids. I want to protect them, but all I can do try to teach them "right way" of doing the job, show them my scars and tell them my war stories. I can only hope that you will change things before another officer has to give their life. In the "Art of War" Sun Tzu said: "Treat your soldiers as your family, and they will follow you into the darkest valley. Treat your soldiers as your own beloved sons and daughters and they will follow you even unto death." To the family of Officer Rivera: He is a silent hero who still now, stand his watch whth VALOR and HONOR. Lt. R. L. "Gunny" Torix

Truer words were never spoken, Lt. Torix. After 21 years with the BOP at five different duty stations (at two of which I proudly served with Lt. Torix), I am sad to say we seem to have changed from the mission of corrections to the business of corrections. The price we have paid is far too high. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Rivera and the staff at USP Atwater. I also hope and pray that Officer Rivera's death will not be in vain. Congress must increase funding for the agency and the agency must fight for the funding. It is time the BOP gets out of the BUSINESS of corrections and back into the mission of protecting its staff.

[fedoff]

Godspeed brother

[stonewall]

It makes me feel good to know that people like Lt. Torix exist. And posting his open letter here is the quickest way to get it to the director as well as those who are so worried about us that they spy on this board.

[Area51]

Originally Posted by amethystcontessa

The following was posted on the Merced Sun Star's website in reference to today's article. I think Lt. Torix sums it up.

Open letter to the Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons: I am the Training Lieutenant at FCC Victorville, having served 28 years with the BOP. I have provided training to many of the BOP staff who are reading this letter. In every class, I stress policy, procedure, and that taking "short cuts" can get someone killed. Tell me sir, how do I explain to the new staff members that a brother officer was killed because the Bureau is taking "short cuts" to cut costs? Tell me sir, how do explain to them that they can't have a stab vest, carry an ASP Baton, or carry pepper spray that could save their life, when every state correctional facility in the U.S. makes those items mandantory equipment for every officer? Tell me sir, how did you explain it to the dead officer's wife? I look out into the class room full of people, and most of them are young enough to be my grand-kids. I want to protect them, but all I can do try to teach them "right way" of doing the job, show them my scars and tell them my war stories. I can only hope that you will change things before another officer has to give their life. In the "Art of War" Sun Tzu said: "Treat your soldiers as your family, and they will follow you into the darkest valley. Treat your soldiers as your own beloved sons and daughters and they will follow you even unto death." To the family of Officer Rivera: He is a silent hero who still now, stand his watch whth VALOR and HONOR. Lt. R. L. "Gunny" Torix

Truer words were never spoken, Lt. Torix. After 21 years with the BOP at five different duty stations (at two of which I proudly served with Lt. Torix), I am sad to say we seem to have changed from the mission of corrections to the business of corrections. The price we have paid is far too high. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Rivera and the staff at USP Atwater. I also hope and pray that Officer Rivera's death will not be in vain. Congress must increase funding for the agency and the agency must fight for the funding. It is time the BOP gets out of the BUSINESS of corrections and back into the mission of protecting its staff.

Doing a C&P to send throughout the institution tomorrow...