Roll of Honor
Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr.
Incident
Corrections Officer Manuel Gonzalez was stabbed to death by an inmate while working in Sycamore Hall of the California Institution for Men in Chino, California.
The suspect, who was appointed as a spokesman for a portion of the prison population, had been permitted to leave his cell to speak with other inmates about their complaints. A short time later, a correctional officer observed the inmate attacking Officer Gonzalez and ordered him to get down. The suspect then walked away as Officer Gonzalez fell to the ground. Officer Gonzalez, who was not wearing a vest, had been stabbed with a shank. He succumbed to his wounds while being transported to a local hospital.
The inmate, believed to be a gang member, was kept in custody, transferred to a different facility, and charged with capital murder. He was serving a 75 year sentence for the attempted murder of a Los Angeles police officer in 2002. Two other inmates were also transferred as a result of the incident.
Six months later, Officer Gonzalez's brother-in-law, Deputy Sheriff Jerry Ortiz of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, was shot and killed while conducting a gang related investigation in an apartment complex.
Officer Gonzalez had served with the California Department of Corrections for 17 years. He is survived by his wife and six children. He is buried in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Montebello, California.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-88954228- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Manuel. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Officer Gonzalez gave the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Gonzalez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corrections Officer Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 30 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with capital murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr. was killed by edged weapon; shank.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
