Roll of Honor
Ralph Canning
Incident
Textile Products Foreman Ralph Canning was stabbed to death while working at San Quentin State Prison. The inmate, who was serving a fives years to life sentence for a 1964 narcotics conviction, stabbed Foreman Canning 18 times. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on January 4th, 1966. His sentence was later commuted to life. Foreman Canning had served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, parents, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-B983DA5F- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Employee Canning 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 Employee Canning.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corrections Employee Ralph Canning 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. Ralph Canning's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph Canning Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph Canning is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph Canning was killed by edged weapon.
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.
