Legacy Friday: Kim Potter-Blair—When Service Become
Legacy Friday continues its recognition of the leaders currently entrusted with carrying CPOF’s mission forward. This week, we recognize Vice-Chair Kim Potter-Blair—a Correctional Officer who rose to statewide executive leadership, a longtime advocate for reentry and professional development, the first woman elected CPOF Vice-Chair, and a leader whose understanding of “Taking Care of Our Own” […]
Remembering Correctional Officer Teresia Wheeler
End of Watch: October 1, 2001 She was 24 years old and only two months into her career. Twenty-five years ago, Correctional Officer Teresia Wheeler was working toward a future in corrections when her life was tragically cut short. On October 1, 2001, Officer Wheeler was participating in required physical training at the Alabama Corrections […]
100 Years Later: Remembering Prison Guard Bryant Whitmore
End of Watch: October 2, 1926 One hundred years ago, Prison Guard Bryant Whitmore made it to safety. Then he turned around. In September 1926, a massive brush fire burned through the hills outside Carson City, Nevada, threatening homes, ranch property and the community itself. Whitmore, a guard at Nevada State Prison, was among those […]
Remembering Corrections Sergeant Timothy Parsley
End of Watch: October 1, 1996 Thirty years ago, the Texas corrections community lost Corrections Sergeant Timothy Parsley in the line of duty. On October 1, 1996, Sergeant Parsley suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after responding to several disturbances while serving with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice at the Gib Lewis Unit. He […]
Remembering Corporal Robert Eugene Ransom
End of Watch: September 30, 2016 Ten years ago, Corporal Robert Eugene Ransom gave his life while doing what those who knew him said came naturally—helping someone else. On September 30, 2016, staff at the Marvin A. Smith Criminal Justice Facility in Gregg County, Texas, responded to a medical emergency involving an inmate. As fellow […]
Remembering Corrections Officer I David Michael Weaver
End of Watch: September 26, 2016 Ten years have passed since the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections lost Corrections Officer I David Michael Weaver following a tragic accident in the line of duty. On September 17, 2016, Officer Weaver was supervising inmates in the outdoor recreation yard at State Correctional Institution Graterford. While attempting to avoid […]
Remembering Charles “Charlie” Leroy Bennett Sr.: A Life of Service
The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation joins the corrections and law enforcement communities in mourning the passing of Charles “Charlie” Leroy Bennett Sr., who passed away on July 22, 2026, at the age of 81. Charlie was born on April 23, 1945, and was the adopted son of Warren and Mary Bennett of Middlesboro, Kentucky. Throughout […]
CPOF Provides Catastrophic Assistance to Allison Inman
The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation recently provided catastrophic assistance to Secretary V Allison Inman of Bill Johnson Correctional Center in Oklahoma as she continues treatment for breast cancer. Allison has endured chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, and her treatment journey is not yet over. She continues to travel to Oklahoma City for ongoing care, including […]
Remembering U.S. Probation Officer Thomas Eric Gahl 40 Years Later
United States Probation Office — Southern District of Indiana End of Watch: September 22, 1986 Forty years ago, U.S. Probation Officer Thomas Eric Gahl left his Indianapolis office to conduct what should have been a routine home contact. He never returned. On September 22, 1986, Officer Gahl was visiting the residence of a recently released […]
Honor Behind the Guard – Lora Hodges
First and foremost, I am the proud mother of two incredible grown children and their spouses: Zach and Anna, Peyton and Andrew. I am also Nonna to my granddaughter, McKinley, and my grandson, Augustus, who is expected in October 2026, and I am grateful to share my life with my longtime partner, Steven Bainbridge. As […]
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Fallen But Not Forgotten
View the stories of our brothers and sisters who sacrificed their lives while fulfilling the duties of their chosen profession.