Michael Francis Hughes

District of Columbia Department of Corrections — Washington, DC

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch February 13, 1958

Age 40

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 93 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Correctional Officer Michael Hughes was stabbed to death in Dormitory 13 of the Lorton Reformatory in Fairfax County, Virginia. He was attacked by two inmates after refusing to allow one of them to enter the dormitory's day room. The inmate produced a 9-inch shank and stabbed Officer Hughes in the face and neck. After he fell, the other inmate struck him on the head with a chair. Both inmates, 25 and 28, were later charged with murder in connection with his death. They were both convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Hughes was a WWII veteran and had served with the District of Columbia Department of Corrections for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, five children, sister, and two brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-DC-F9E55573
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 Michael. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Correctional Officer Hughes gave the District of Columbia Department of Corrections 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of the District of Columbia, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department District of Columbia Department of Corrections

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity dcdcorr.dc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 13, 1958

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 40

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon; Shank

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Michael Francis Hughes served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Correctional Officer Michael Francis Hughes 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At District of Columbia Department of Corrections, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

District of Columbia Department of Corrections

of 7 officers

100% Felonious

DC — Statewide

754

of 1,419 officers

53.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious