Judith Ann Henkel
Incident
Corrections Officer Judith Henkel suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after breaking up a fight at the North Kern State Prison in Delano, California.
After collapsing, Officer Henkel was transported to a local hospital where she remained on life support for one week before passing away.
Officer Henkel had served with the California Department of Corrections for two years.
Survivors
She is survived by her son, daughter, three grandchildren, mother, and four siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Officer Henkel gave the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Henkel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has lost 42 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Judith is one of 52 officers lost to cardiac events in CA, 2.8% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Judith is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Judith is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 2 officers in CA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1995, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1995, 18 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 18th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Judith was 46. Of the 51 lost to cardiac events in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 52.5; the middle age was 44. Judith had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Judith was 46. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Judith had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Judith was 46. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Judith had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
February holds 9.6% of these deaths in CA; January holds the most, 15.4%. Fridays: 19.2%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
February holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 42 deaths at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 2.8% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Her people
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has 42 officers remembered here, Judith among them.
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William Leopold Cotter Jul 27, 1903
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John Drewry
Oct 16, 1914
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Branch Martin Miller Aug 20, 1925
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Charles Bartholemew Gillies Nov 24, 1927
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Ray Tyree Singleton
Nov 24, 1927
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Albert Henry Fiess Apr 13, 1934
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Harry E. Martin Sep 19, 1937
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Clarence Larkin
Sep 24, 1937
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Willard Johnston
Feb 24, 1938
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Vern Adolph Mackin Jan 14, 1952
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Charles Wiget
Jan 14, 1952
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Frank Rankin, Jr.
Jan 30, 1960
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Connie Prock
Jun 26, 1963
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Ralph Canning
Apr 23, 1965
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John V. Mills
Jan 16, 1970
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William C. Shull
Jul 23, 1970
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Robert J. McCarthy
Mar 4, 1971
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Kenneth E. Conant
May 19, 1971
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Leo G Davis
Jul 21, 1971
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Frank P DeLeon
Aug 21, 1971
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Jere Patrick Graham
Aug 21, 1971
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Paul Krasenes
Aug 21, 1971
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Ronald L. Turner
Sep 16, 1971
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Jesus Sanchez
Oct 6, 1972
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Jerry Sanders
Nov 27, 1973
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Richard Ochoa Apr 26, 1976
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Victor A. Sam
Aug 21, 1977
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Albert William Patch
Aug 17, 1980
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Charles Sickles
Apr 1, 1981
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Howell Dean Burchfield
Jun 8, 1985
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Lyle Herman
Jun 29, 1988
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Judith Ann Henkel
Feb 3, 1995
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Paul B. Beridon
Sep 11, 1997
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Mylene G. Zalar
Sep 11, 1997
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Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr.
Jan 10, 2005
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Gilbert Cortez
Mar 25, 2013
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Armando Jr Gallegos Jr.
Sep 14, 2018
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Daniel Lopez Mendoza, III
May 30, 2020
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Richard Allan Bianchi
Jun 25, 2020
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Jose Alfredo Diramos Kates
Jul 11, 2020
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Gilbert Polanco
Aug 9, 2020
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Joshua Lemont Byrd
Jul 17, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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