National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Correctional Officer

Memorial Panel: 26-W: 11

Department: Federal Bureau of Prisons

End of Watch: May 3, 1946

Cause: SHOT

Age: Unk

Years of Service: Unk

Description: Officer Miller was shot during a prison escape from the Alcatraz prison facility in California. The incident, which lasted three days, became known as the Battle of Alcatraz. Six prisoners overpowered the correctional officers and gained access to weapons and keys. Their plan fell apart when the inmates found they did not have the key to unlock the recreation yard door. The inmates shot the officers that were being held hostage. Officer William Miller died from his injuries. Officer Harold Stites was shot and killed attempting to regain control of the cellhouse. About 18 officers were injured during the escape attempt. The U.S. Marines were eventually called to assist. On May 4, the escape attempt ended with the discovery of the bodies of three inmates involved in the escape attempt. Three other inmates stood trial for the death of the officers. Two received the death penalty and were executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin in December 1948. The last inmate involved, age 19, received a second life sentence.