Rivan

Incident

K9 Rivan was stabbed to death while trying to stop an attack on an inmate by four other inmates at the Sussex I State Prison at 24414 Musselwhite Drive in Waverly, Virginia.

Three inmates began violently assaulting another inmate as a fourth inmate watched. K9 Rivan and his handler attempted to stop the attack and save the inmate's life. The three inmates kicked and stabbed K9 Rivan repeatedly as officers responded to subdue the inmates.

Despite lifesaving measures by the Virginia Department of Corrections staff, K9 Rivan succumbed to his wounds. K9 Rivan's handler did not sustain any serious injuries.

The victim inmate was treated at a local hospital and returned to the Sussex State Prison.

The four inmates involved in the attack were members of MS-13 and serving time for serious felonies such as homicide, attempted rape, abduction, and child pornography while being in the United States illegally.

K9 Rivan had served with the Virginia Department of Corrections for almost five years. His mother served with the United States Secret Service and his father served with a police department in Southwest Virginia.