United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Sunday, January 26, 1969
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 7065
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: January 26, 1969
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Not available
Correctional Officer Vern Jarvis was stabbed 26 times with a homemade knife while on duty in the prisoners living quarters of the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois. His body was found hidden in a utility closet by another officer.
An investigation revealed that he had been stabbed by a prisoner who was seeking revenge against Officer Jarvis because the officer had confiscated the inmate's candy, fruit, and magazines when the inmate had been sent to a segregation unit.
The inmate was convicted of Officer Jarvis' murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was moved to Oregon State Penitentiary in 1982.
Correctional Officer Jarvis was a US Army Veteran of 21 years and served in WWII and the Korean War. He had served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for 2 years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, sister, and two brothers.