Warden Theodore Catlin, Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan

Warden Theodore Catlin

Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan

End of Watch Thursday, January 26, 1922

Theodore Catlin

Warden Theodore Catlin and Deputy Warden Fred Menhennett, of the Marquette Branch Prison, were both stabbed by prisoners on December 12, 1921. The attack occurred during an afternoon movie showing at the prison. A convict hiding in the theater ran up to Warden Catlin and stabbed him repeatedly. Warden Menhennett tried to intercede and was mortally wounded in the process. The inmate and two accomplices chased Catlin down and continued their attack before finally being subdued.

Menhennett died at the scene, while Catlin lived for six more weeks.

The inmate was reportedly angry at the new warden for taking away some of his freedoms as awarded by the previous warden.

This was the first time in the history of the department that employees of a Michigan prison were killed by inmates.

Bio

Age Not available
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Incident Date Not available
Weapon Edged weapon
Offender Not available

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Most Recent Reflection

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Your heroism and service is honored today, the 90th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect, and your memory will always be honored and revered.

Five decades after your death I was a correctional officer at San Quentin on a gun rail in the cafeteria when a movie was being shown at night. A stabbing of an inmate occurred and I always thought the situation may have been exacerated by the movie being shown. It was picked by the inmates advisory council and it was Chainsaw Massacre. Those kinds of movies should never have been shown. I am sure there was not that many officers on duty when the movie was being shown and you were greatly outnumbered and it may have been dark as well.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 26, 2012