March 26, 2026, marks 110 years since the line-of-duty death of Correctional Officer Andrew F. Turner, a young officer whose sacrifice remains a solemn part of corrections history.

On March 26, 1916, Officer Turner was assigned to the dining hall at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. What should have been a routine midday meal quickly turned tragic.

In the presence of approximately 1,500 inmates, Officer Turner was approached by an inmate who questioned whether he had been reported for prior misconduct. Although Officer Turner indicated that he had not taken action, the inmate suddenly attacked, fatally stabbing him in the heart with a sharpened knife.

Officer Turner succumbed to his injuries, becoming one of the early fallen heroes in the history of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

A Young Officer in Service

At just 29 years old, Officer Turner had already dedicated three years of service to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. A military veteran and a man committed to public service, he represented a generation of officers who worked in an era when corrections was still evolving and often lacked many of the protections and protocols in place today.

He had only recently transferred to Leavenworth with his wife and two young children—beginning what should have been a new chapter for his family.

Instead, his life was cut short in an instant of violence.

A Moment That Echoed Beyond the Walls

The impact of Officer Turner’s death extended far beyond the institution.

In an uncommon and deeply human gesture, inmates themselves requested permission to contribute financially to his family—raising $400, a significant sum at the time. It was a reflection of the respect he carried, even among those he was tasked with overseeing.

The offender was convicted and sentenced for the murder. Though initially sentenced to death, the sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, where he remained until his death decades later.

A Legacy Carved in History

Officer Turner’s name now stands among those honored on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial—a lasting testament to his service and sacrifice.

He is laid to rest at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, a place of honor befitting a man who served both his country and his community.

More than a century later, his story continues to remind us that the risks faced by correctional professionals are not new. They are woven into the very fabric of the profession.

Never Forgotten—Even After 110 Years

Time may pass, uniforms may change, and facilities may evolve—but the courage required to serve remains the same.

Today, we remember Officer Andrew F. Turner not only for how he died, but for the life he lived:

A veteran.
A husband.
A father.
A correctional officer who stood his post.

At the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation, we are committed to ensuring that no fallen officer—no matter how many years have passed—is ever forgotten.

Because behind every name is a legacy.
Behind every sacrifice is a family.
And behind every story is a reminder of why we continue to stand together.

Today, we honor a life lost 110 years ago—but never lost to history.

Correctional Officer Andrew F. Turner
End of Watch: March 26, 1916

Gone, but never forgotten.