Roll of Honor
Vern M. Jarvis
Incident
Correctional Officer Vern Jarvis was stabbed 26 times with a homemade knife while on duty in the prisoners living quarters of the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois. His body was found hidden in a utility closet by another officer. An investigation revealed that he had been stabbed by a prisoner who was seeking revenge against Officer Jarvis because the officer had confiscated the inmate's candy, fruit, and magazines when the inmate had been sent to a segregation unit. The inmate was convicted of Officer Jarvis' murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was moved to Oregon State Penitentiary in 1982. Correctional Officer Jarvis was a US Army Veteran of 21 years and served in WWII and the Korean War. He had served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, sister, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-A46015E6- 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 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 Jarvis gave the United States Department of Justice 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Vern M. Jarvis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Correctional Officer Vern M. Jarvis 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 United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, 26 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Vern M. Jarvis's cause is highlighted.
How Vern M. Jarvis Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Vern M. Jarvis is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Vern M. Jarvis was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
33 officers from United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
