New York State Department of Correctional Services, New York
End of Watch: Monday, September 13, 1971
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: September 13, 1971
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Never charged
Correctional Officer Richard Lewis died from injuries sustained in a prison riot at the Attica Prison. Six other correctional officers were also killed during the riot.
The leader of the riot was never charged with any crime. After his release from prison, he shot and killed Police Officer Norman R. Cerullo and Police Officer Christie D. Masone of the New York City Police Department on April 2, 1978, on a Brooklyn Street.
Officer Lewis was a United States Army Korean War veteran and had served with the New York State Department of Correctional Services for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, brother, and sister.