On May 7, 2024, the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) honored 26 corrections officers and contractors who lost their lives in the line of duty at Washington D.C.’s National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial park. Among the fallen were Eric J. Williams and Osvaldo Albarati, both killed in February 2013 in separate incidents. Williams was attacked and killed by an inmate at USP Canaan, while Albarati was ambushed and killed while driving home from work. It was later discovered that Albarati’s shooting was coordinated with the help of federal inmates at MDC Guaynabo who used cell phones to communicate with the assailants.
During National Correctional Officers Week, the American Federation of Government Employees highlighted the challenges and risks faced by the 30,000 correction officers across the country. President of the AFGE Council of Prison Locals Brandy Moore White emphasized the sacrifices these individuals make in often high-stress environments with limited resources. The role of correctional officers is vital to the functioning of the justice system and society as a whole, yet their contributions are sometimes overlooked.
The ceremony in Washington D.C. brought BOP members together in a solemn remembrance of their fallen colleagues. BOP Director Colette Peters and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Marshall Miller addressed the attendees, acknowledging the daily struggles and dangers faced by correctional workers. Miller praised the common objective of creating safe and humane conditions in confinement and assisting prisoners in reintegrating into society as productive members.
Following the retirement of BOP Director Charles Samuels, who honored the fallen officers in his closing letter to the agency, there have been no additional staff members lost in the line of duty. However, the BOP continues to face challenges, including staffing shortages to supervise and care for the federal prisoners scattered across the country. Ceremonies like the one held in Washington D.C. serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by correctional officers and the commitment of the BOP to support its employees in their daily tasks.
In response to the tragedies involving Williams and Albarati, the BOP implemented measures to protect its employees, such as allowing staff to carry pepper spray after Williams’ death. The Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015 authorized the use of pepper spray by correctional officers in federal prisons, except for minimum and low-security institutions. Legislation is also being considered to increase penalties for cell phone introduction into prisons and deploy jamming equipment to prevent the coordination of criminal activities by prisoners.
The ceremony concluded with an honor guard placing twenty-six roses on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in remembrance of the fallen officers. The Memorial, located in Washington D.C., features the names of over 23,000 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The event served as a poignant reminder of the unity and respect shared among law enforcement professionals and the importance of honoring those who have given their lives in service to their country.