Turnkey Fredrick Pfliiger

Fredrick Pfliiger

Turnkey Frederick Pfliiger was shot and killed by an inmate who was attempting to escape the State Prison at Charlestown.

The prisoner had been attending a religious service in the chapel. When the prisoners were returning to their cells, a count of the line revealed that the suspect was missing. The escape alarm was sounded and Turnkey Pfliiger ran to assist in the search. As Turnkey Pfliiger approached the suspect's hiding spot, the suspect appeared and opened fire, killing Turnkey Pfliiger. The suspect then exchanged several shots with other guards before he was finally taken into custody.

The suspect later told guards that he found the gun on a bench in the prison shop.

Turnkey Pfliiger had served with the Massachusetts Department of Correction for 20 years.