District of Columbia Department of Corrections, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Thursday, February 13, 1958
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: February 13, 1958
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Shank
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Correctional Officer Michael Hughes was stabbed to death in Dormitory 13 of the Lorton Reformatory in Fairfax County, Virginia.
He was attacked by two inmates after refusing to allow one of them to enter the dormitory's day room. The inmate produced a 9-inch shank and stabbed Officer Hughes in the face and neck. After he fell, the other inmate struck him on the head with a chair.
Both inmates, 25 and 28, were later charged with murder in connection with his death. They were both convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Hughes was a WWII veteran and had served with the District of Columbia Department of Corrections for five years. He was survived by his wife, five children, sister, and two brothers.