Custody Officer Virgil L. Orem

Custody Officer Virgil L. Orem

Indiana Department of Correction, Indiana

End of Watch Tuesday, January 21, 1919

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Virgil L. Orem

Custody Officer Virgil Orem succumbed to injuries he suffered 14 months earlier after being assaulted during an escape attempt at the Indiana Reformatory in Clarksville.

On the evening of the assault, two inmates had been called out of their cells to repair a motor in one of the wells at the institution. The inmates, whose intent was to escape, believed Custody Officer Orem possessed the keys to an engineering vault containing ropes and pulleys. As Custody Officer Orem returned to the area where the inmates were working, he was struck about his head with a heavy piece of iron and beaten nearly unconscious.

Custody Officer Orem was able to return to work performing light duties after about six weeks, but developed a worsening paralytic condition about a month before he died, on his 41st birthday.

Custody Officer Orem had served with the Indiana Department of Correction for two years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, two sisters and three brothers.

Bio

  • Age 41
  • Tour 2 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Assault
  • Incident Date Monday, November 19, 1917
  • Weapon Blunt object
  • Offender Not available

Most Recent Reflection

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Bless you for your sacrifice, you will always be remembered as well as your family for there sacrifice as well

Retired Asst. Superintendent, John Georg
Indiana Dept. of Correction

January 23, 2020

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