KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Correctional Officer Killed on the Job

Correctional Officer Killed on the Job

By: Dani Carlson and Kyra Jenkins

Officer Jose Rivera had been a federal correctional officer for less than a year, starting just last August.  He was killed by two inmates Friday afternoon while working at Atwater Federal Penitentiary, according to prison officials.

Extra security was posted outside the prison gates and all was quiet on Saturday afternoon, the only reminder to visitors that a correctional officer was killed there on Friday.

"It's kind of close to home, you get a little worried and are aware to lock your doors a little more than usual," said Tim Baker. 

Baker lives just across the road from the entrance to Atwater Federal Penitentiary.  He said his family's thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young, fallen officer.

According to prison officials, around 3:30 Friday afternoon, 22-year-old Correctional Officer Jose Rivera of Chowchilla was stabbed to death by two inmates in a housing part of the prison.

The jail's public information officer, Jesse Gonzalez, has issued a written statement:

"We extend our deepest sympathy to Officer Rivera's family and friends and are committed to providing any assistance to ensure the perpetrators of this horrific crime are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

According to the Bureau of Prison officials, Rivera is the 24th federal corrections officer killed in the line of duty in more than one hundred years, and the first murdered at Atwater.

For those who work at the prison and live near it, his death is one too many.

"I just feel the ones that have done this should pay for what they've done," said Baker.

Prison officials have not yet released any motive for the crime, or the identities of the two prisoners they said are responsible.