Correctional Officer Jose Rivera
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Friday, June 20, 2008

Biographical Info
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 10 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: Friday, June 20, 2008
Incident Location: California
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Shank
Suspect Info: In custody

Correctional Officer Jose Rivera was stabbed to death by two inmates at United States Penitentiary Atwater in Atwater, California. The inmates stabbed Officer Rivera with homemade knives as he was locking cell doors in preparation for the 4:00 pm headcount.

Other officers immediately responded to the location and restrained both suspects. Officer Rivera was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later.

Officer Rivera was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for only 10 months.

Agency Contact Information
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street, NW
Washington, DC 20534

Phone: (202) 514-6551

Please contact the United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.

It is with deep sadness that I must report the untimely death of a member of the Bureau Family. On Friday, June 20, 2008, at approximately 3:20 p.m., two inmates at the United States Penitentiary, Atwater, took the life of Correctional Officer Jose Rivera.

The tragic event occurred while Officer Rivera was on the second tier of a housing unit attempting to place two inmates back into their cell. The inmates turned and began assaulting Officer Rivera. Officer Rivera tried to evade the assault by running to the ground floor, but ultimately the two inmates caught the officer and resumed their attack using a homemade knife.

Staff responded immediately, successfully restraining both inmates and performing life-saving measures. Officer Rivera was immediately transported to the nearest local hospital. Unfortunately Officer Rivera ‘s life could not be saved.

The Bureau of Prisons is cooperating fully with the FBI in the investigation of Officer Rivera’s death. We will do all we can to ensure the perpetrators of this horrific crime are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Officer Rivera was 22 years old. He was a four year veteran of the Navy, and completed two tours of military duty in Iraq. He began his career with the Bureau of Prisons as a Correctional Officer less than one year ago, on August 5, 2007. Despite his youth, Officer Rivera took his responsibilities – both at work and at home – very seriously.

Officer Rivera is survived by his mother, siblings, and girlfriend. The institution executive staff, as well as representatives from the Council of Prison Locals and the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation, are meeting with the family to provide assistance regarding benefits and making necessary arrangements. A memorial service is expected to be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merced, CA; and Officer Rivera will be buried at Evergreen Memorial, also in Merced. We will provide the date and time for these services via Sally port as soon as the information becomes available. Additionally, we are establishing a co-worker emergency fund and details will be avail able on Sally port.

All flags around the Bureau are being flown at half mast in honor of Officer Rivera. June 20,2008 will be remembered as a very sad day in the history of our agency. We will never forget the man who died that day or his selfless service to the public. I know that you join me in extending our deepest sympathy to Officer Rivera’s family, friends, and co-workers; please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I ask that all of us renew our commitment to protecting one another to the greatest of our abilities as we carry out our important responsibilities, so that never again will the family of a Bureau staff member bear a loss such as the one being felt today.


Prison officials say they cannot release the names of the inmates involved in the attack or comment on the case because the F.B.I. is still investigating the murder. Services for Rivera are being planned for later this week. Services for Rivera are being planned for later this week. Phone: (202) 514-6551

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