California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California
End of Watch Wednesday, July 21, 1971
Add to My HeroesLeo G Davis
Correctional Officer Leo Davis was stabbed to death at San Quentin State Prison while guarding a prisoner who was a witness to the murder of Officer William Shull the previous year at Soledad Prison. Officer Davis was guarding the door to the prisoner's hospital cell when he was attacked and stabbed by two inmates who were attempting to gain access to the cell to murder the other prisoner.
The suspects were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on June 21, 1973.
Officer Shull was stabbed to death on July 23, 1970, and Officer John Mills was beaten to death on January 16, 1970, in retaliation for an earlier incident in which three prisoners were shot and killed during a courtyard riot.
Correctional Officer Davis was survived by his wife and four children.
Bio
- Age 38
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon
- Offender Sentenced to life
Related LODD Deaths
Officer John V. Mills
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CA
EOW: January 16, 1970
Correctional Officer William C. Shull
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CA
EOW: July 23, 1970
Most Recent Reflection
View all 29 ReflectionsI was working in the hospital on July 21, 1971. I remember letting him in the hospital that morning and a brief chat. My greatest regret today is that Leo's murder and heroism are often overshadowed by the events on August 21, 1971. Leo's job that day was to provide security watch for an inmate who had been stabbed days earlier. The inmate's door was locked and Leo had the key. When he saw the 2 murderers approaching he immediately knew their intent and threw the keys through the foodport of an adjacent locked room. Others may forget. I never will.
Robert Ayers, Warden
California Department of Corrections
August 18, 2021
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