Corrections Officer Susan Louise Canfield
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Texas
End of Watch: Monday, September 24, 2007

Biographical Info
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Monday, September 24, 2007
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: In custody

Corrections Officer Susan Canfield was killed during an escape by two inmates.

The two inmates were working outside, along with more than 70 other inmates. A group of six corrections officers and a supervisor — all armed — were watching the inmates. A prison spokesman stated that a male corrections officer took what appeared to be a watch from one of the two. As the officer was taking the watch, one of the inmates pulled him from the horse, taking his weapons.

The two prisoners initially stole a City of Huntsville flatbed truck from the City Service Center off Highway 75 North. The two then ran over Canfield near the service center. Canfield, who was trying to apprehend the two subjects, was on horseback at the time.

Shots were exchanged between corections officers and the two inmates, but no one was injured in the gunfight. Canfield’s horse was hit in the exchange. One inmate was captured shortly after the escape and the other was captured about two hours later.

Officer Canfield had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 7 years. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, son, two grandchildren, mother, and three siblings.