Correctional Officer Royal C. Cline

Correctional Officer Royal C. Cline

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

End of Watch Monday, May 23, 1938

Royal C. Cline

Correctional Officer Royal Cline was beaten to death with a hammer by three inmates who were attempting to escape from Alcatraz Prison in California.

Following Officer Cline's murder the inmates attempted to take over a guard tower. The guard inside shot and killed one subject. The other two were sentenced to life for Officer Cline's murder.

The guard in the watch tower, Officer Harold Stites, was shot and killed in 1946 during another escape attempt.

Bio

Age Not available
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Assault
Location California
Weapon Blunt object; Hammer
Offender One shot and killed

Most Recent Reflection

View all 12 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