Correctional officer killed at USP-Atwater

[HACKINIT]

Friday, Jun. 20, 2008
Correctional officer killed at federal prison in Atwater By VICTOR A. PATTON A federal correctional officer at U.S. Penitentiary Atwater is dead after being stabbed to death by an inmate at the facility on Friday, the Sun-Star has learned.

Although details are still sketchy, Merced County Sheriff/Coroner Mark Pazin said the officer, identified as Jose Rivera, 22, was transported to a Mercy Medical Center Merced after the stabbing. The FBI is conducting the investigation into the incident and Pazin said his office will conduct the autopsy.

Rivera was taken to the hospital at 3:30 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m., Pazin said.

Pazin said Rivera's death underscores the dangers that correctional officers face every day.

"Our hearts go out to our fellow officers at the federal prison," Pazin said. "Any time you lose an officer, it's always traumatic."

Prison officials said they could not comment about the stabbing. "I cannot release any information at this time," said Jesse Gonzalez, a spokesman for the prison.

[Mack the Hack]

We have always said it would take a staff member getting killed to get congress to staff and fund us. Although we all prayed we were wrong, for the sake of the officer and staff at Atwater I pray that this is the only one who has to. Something has to be done to staff the prisons safe. Harley Lapin and our congresional representatives must be held responsible. They have been running the prison system with their fingers crossed hoping this didnt happen. While we complained we silently hoped with them this day would never come. Unfortunately it has. We do need to band together and begin to get our voices and concerns heard. We need to band together and support the officers family at Atwater. We need to band together and support the staff there. Our voices will be stronger as one, more so than as an individual. God help the staff at Atwater. They are in for a very very tough time. If there is anything that we can do to help please let us know.

[HACKINIT]

Originally Posted by Mack the Hack

We have always said it would take a staff member getting killed to get congress to staff and fund us. Although we all prayed we were wrong, for the sake of the officer and staff at Atwater I pray that this is the only one who has to. Something has to be done to staff the prisons safe. Harley Lapin and our congresional representatives must be held responsible. They have been running the prison system with their fingers crossed hoping this didnt happen. While we complained we silently hoped with them this day would never come. Unfortunately it has. We do need to band together and begin to get our voices and concerns heard. We need to band together and support the officers family at Atwater. We need to band together and support the staff there. Our voices will be stronger as one, more so than as an individual. God help the staff at Atwater. They are in for a very very tough time. If there is anything that we can do to help please let us know.

I hope the days of, "I don't want to make any waves," are past us, they always forget there are lives at stake. We all need to make waves...

[Fed C.O. 33]

Were sitting ducks with no protection no stab vest no baton or pepper spray.
We have nothing to stop an attack its horrible and now we have lost another officer.

[Xcrewchief]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but it truly comes from the heart : God bless and help the family and co-workers of Officer Rivera....My thoughts and prayers are with you all

[UWQLI]

My condolences to his family from us at USP Pollock.
It should never happen this way.

USP's are more dangerous now than ever. We also suffer from a high rate of incidents. Isolated..is what our warden always says. One officer stabbed and two assaulted this month.

[USPCO78]

My heart goes out to his family. I have walked those housing units at USP Victorville. I know what happens and the things we must do to make it past the front grill. You are a brother even if i dont know you. I would have ran to your BA like it was my children. You are unrecognized and a hero. You are a fallen Officer...May god bless your soul hack keep your keys tight...THEY WILL PAY!

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Hmm. Notice that the inmate still had a weapon in spite of the BOP's screening staff with metal detectors and x-rays.

It least the inmates can have knives...

[VIMshooter]

When are we as an agency going to put people in positions of power that can actually make a difference? Of course, it's all too late for Officer Rivera. When the people who actually can make a decision are being held down over bogus OIA investigations, our priosns are run by those who can't decise. I honor Officer Rivera and my heart goes out to his family. All this is preventable, just let the people who can run these prisons.... run them. Save staff lives first!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pahack1972]

God bless his family........ and his soul......... rest in peace brother!