ACA held their 2024 Winter Conference in one of the most patriotic places one could be, our Nation’s Capital. Part of the event was held at the National Law Enforcement Officer Museum.  A memorial was held to honor the over 900 Correctional Professionals who lost their lives in their chosen professional.

CPOF would like to thank American Correctional Association for their hospitality and inclusion in honoring those Correctional Professionals.  Special thanks to Robert Green, Executive Director of ACA;  Jeffrey Washington, Deputy Executive Director of ACA and National Director of CPOF and Denise Robinson, President of ACA.

Part of the ceremony on Saturday, January 6 included honored professionals from across the Nation sharing stories of fallen correctional staff that had impacted their lives.  Most of those were honored by CPOF as well at our PROJECT 2000 event.  We would like to share the stories of those highlighted with you now.

Corrections Officer Susan Canfield was killed during an escape attempt of two inmates from a work crew at the Wynne Unit with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The two inmates were among a group of approximately 75 inmates working outside of the prison and being supervised by seven officers on horseback. Two inmates were able to overcome one of the supervising officers, pull him from his horse and take his firearm.

Both inmates fled to the adjacent Huntsville City fleet maintenance center on Highway 75 North and stole a flatbed truck. As Officer Canfield approached the truck on horseback and attempted to block the escape, the inmate intentionally struck her and the horse, causing her to suffer fatal injuries. Other officers exchanged shots with the two but did not shoot them. Both men were apprehended within two hours.

The subject who was driving the truck that struck Officer Canfield was sentenced to death in 2010. He was executed on December 3rd, 2013. The second inmate plead guilty in 2017 and was sentenced to the death penalty.

Officer Canfield had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for seven years. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, son, two grandchildren, mother, and three siblings.  Officer Canfield was honored at PROJECT 2000 in 2008.

Officer David McGuinn was stabbed to death in the maximum-security Maryland House of Correction in Jessup, Maryland, while conducting a nightly prisoner count at 10:00 pm on July 25, 2007.

Two inmates had jimmied their cell doors and then attacked Officer McGuinn on the fourth tier as he walked past their cells. He was stabbed repeatedly in the neck, head, thighs, and back in areas not protected by his stab-vest. He was able to break free and retreated down two flights of stairs before he collapsed. Other officers immediately came to his assistance. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds one hour later.

One of the inmates was found incompetent to stand trial. On February 9th, 2012, the other inmate was convicted of first-degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Officer McGuinn had served with the Maryland State Division of Correction for two years. He is survived by his children and fiancée.  Officer McGuinn was honored at PROJECT 2000 in 2007.

Deputy Director Carolyn Cross was beaten to death inside her apartment in the 4800 block of Kenmore Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia.

She was preparing to leave her apartment to represent the District of Columbia Department of Corrections at a conference in Atlanta, Georgia, when the subject attacked her. He struck her approximately 15 times with a heavy wrench and then strangled her.

Deputy Director Cross’ daughter found her body when she arrived at the apartment to drive her to the airport.

The subject who murdered her was located a short time later after attempting to commit suicide. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state mental hospital.

Deputy Director Cross had served with the District of Columbia Department of Corrections for 30 years. She is survived by her husband and four children.

Correctional Officer Larry Stell was fatally stabbed by an inmate at the Telfair State Prison in Helena, Georgia.

The attack occurred in a dormitory area that housed approximately 80 inmates. The inmate, 30, who stabbed him was subdued and transferred to another prison. The inmate was serving a life sentence for the murder of a man in Cordele in October of 2008. He was charged with Officer Stell’s murder.

Correctional Officer Stell had served with the Georgia Department of Corrections for 11 years. He is survived by his wife.  Correctional Officer Stell was honored at PROJECT 2000 in 2013.

Detention Officer Gene Lee succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was assaulted by an inmate at Lower Buckeye Jail.

The inmate attacked Officer Lee without provocation, grabbing him by the neck and sweeping his legs out from below him. Officer Lee suffered a severe head injury when his head struck the concrete floor.

Other officers and jail medical staff provided aid until he was transported to Banner University Medical Center. He died the following day without regaining consciousness.

Officer Lee had served with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for six years. He is survived by his wife and two children.  Detention Officer Lee was honored at PROJECT 2000 in 2020

Following the remarks regarding the life and death of these Correctional Professionals, Executive Director Rob Greene spoke of his experience at PROJECT 2000 XXXIV prior to turning the floor over to Vice-Chairman Don Dease.  Mr. Dease was able to share with the large crowd at this museum honoring Law Enforcement and Correctional Professions what CPOF does and how we honor those that pay the ultimate price while protecting their communities from those deemed no longer fit to live in society as we know it.

The wreath presented featured the commitment of all organizations that honor Correctional Professions to join together to ensure that everyone works together to ensure that the fallen are honored and the living are assisted in any way we can.  Photographed is Vice Chairman Don Dease with Federal Representative Wayne Bowdry and the wreath.