November 23 marks 60 years since one of the darkest days in the history of Illinois corrections.

On November 23, 1965, Lieutenant Lewis M. Paul, Lieutenant Arthur L. Kisro, and Correctional Officer George L. Wilson of the Menard Correctional Center were killed in the line of duty during a violent prison riot that erupted just two days before Thanksgiving.

Today, the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation honors their courage, their sacrifice, and the families and coworkers who still carry their memory.

A Tragic Afternoon at Menard

Shortly after 4:00 p.m., an ordinary dinner hour turned into chaos.

A flaming bottle filled with lacquer thinner, intentionally hurled at a guard tower, ignited the start of a violent uprising. The officer stationed in the tower, Officer Wilbur Moritz, was severely burned, and as smoke and panic spread, several inmates armed with homemade knives (“shivs”) ambushed staff in the dining hall.

Within moments:

• Lieutenant Lewis M. Paul, age 36, was fatally stabbed in the heart while attempting to intervene in the initial attack. He died instantly.

• Lieutenant Arthur L. Kisro, age 45, rushed to help a wounded officer and was stabbed in the abdomen and liver. Despite medical efforts, he passed away at 6:15 p.m.

• Correctional Officer George L. Wilson, age 62, suffered stab wounds to his liver and kidney. He died later that evening at 8:40 p.m.

In total, more than half a dozen staff members were injured. Several officers were held hostage, and one, gravely wounded and losing blood, received a life-saving transfusion through the bars of the kitchen door while surrounded by inmates.

The four inmates who led the escape attempt barricaded themselves in the kitchen with hostages for over four hours, threatening to kill the officers if staff attempted to retake the area.
It wasn’t until 8:40 p.m. that Illinois Director of Public Safety Ross Randolph, a former longtime warden at Menard deeply respected by inmates, negotiated their surrender.

Justice and Aftermath

All four inmates responsible were convicted on multiple counts, including murder:

• Three were originally sentenced to death.

• Following the 1972 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the death penalty, they were resentenced to centuries-long prison terms.

• One inmate was later paroled in 1998; another in 2014.

Despite the magnitude of the tragedy, state leaders at the time ordered only limited institutional changes, and Menard continued to operate as one of the largest and oldest correctional facilities in the region.

Their Families, Their Legacy

Behind each of the fallen were families whose lives were forever changed:

• Lieutenant Lewis Paul was the father of two sons.

• Lieutenant Arthur Kisro was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

• Officer George Wilson left behind loved ones who mourned a husband, father, coworker, and friend.

For the Menard community, and for corrections staff across the country, the events of November 23, 1965 stand as a solemn reminder of the dangers faced by those who serve behind the walls.

Honoring Their Memory, 60 Years Later

Sixty years have passed, but the courage shown by Lieutenant Paul, Lieutenant Kisro, and Officer Wilson remains a part of Illinois corrections history. The Illinois Department of Corrections continues to recognize their sacrifice during annual fallen officer ceremonies, and their names live on in the hearts of those who wear the uniform today.

At CPOF, we remember these three men not just for how they died, but for how they lived: with duty, courage, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others.

Their legacy is a testament to every correctional professional who walks the toughest beat in law enforcement.

We honor them today and always.