Corrections Employee Robert George Warnke

Corrections Employee Robert George Warnke

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Government

End of Watch Thursday, June 20, 1929

Robert George Warnke

Corrections Employee Robert Warnke was killed after being beaten by an inmate yielding an iron bar at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Officer Warnke was performing his early morning duties when the man attacked him from behind, knocking him to the ground.

After falling, the man jumped on Officer Warnke and continued to beat him. The suspect, who had claimed to have murdered 22 people, had also been involved in the murder of Superintendent Harry Minto, of the Oregon Department of Corrections on September 28, 1915. He was hung at Leavenworth Prison for Officer Warnke's murder.

Officer Warnke had served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for eight years. He was survived by his wife and son and is buried in Highland Cemetery, Junction City, Kansas.

Bio

Age 47
Tour 8 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Assault
Location Kansas
Weapon Blunt object
Offender Executed

Most Recent Reflection

View all 10 Reflections

Rest in Peace

I ask one thing - that in still, far-off days,
Someone who knew me should in their daily rounds,
Suddenly pause, caught by some sight or sound,
Some glance, some phrase, some trick of memory's ways
which brings me to mind, then I shall wait,
eager with hope, perhaps to hear -
“how great if he were with us still!”
And then at the end, all that I wish for is just -
“he was my friend!”

From “A Soldier's Epitaph” by David McNicholl

N Elias
Federal Law Enforcement Officer, USDOJ
Former Security Police Officer, USAF

May 28, 2017