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Correctional Officer Ronald A. Barnes | Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia
Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia

Correctional Officer

Ronald A. Barnes

Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia

End of Watch: Sunday, March 16, 1975

Biographical Info

Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: March 16, 1975
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Correctional Officer Ronald Barnes died from acute head injuries after he was was beaten by two inmates, both 19, during an attempted escape at the Southampton Correctional Center a few hours earlier. The two kicked Officer Barnes in the head several times, and then robbed him and another guard. They unlocked all the cells but only a few joined them in their escape. All were captured. Some of the inmates helped with their capture.

Both were new inmates, sentenced to 25 year terms, one for murder, the other for rape. In 1976 both were sentenced to death plus 25 years for robbery and escape. In October of 1976 their death sentences were commuted to life. As of October 30, 2022, one was still in prison. The other was listed as a prison inmate in 1997.

Officer Barnes was survived by his wife and two sons.