Prev
Ray Tyree Singleton
Incident
Prison Guard Ray Singleton was stabbed to death at the start of a planned riot and attempted prison break at Folsom Prison on Thanksgiving Day. Guard Singleton was guarding prisoners as they moved out of the prison library after the showing of a movie when the signal for the start of the riot was given. Guard Singleton was stabbed to death by several of the prisoners. The riot continued for two days. Local officers and militia were brought in to quell the uprising. Three prisoners were killed and 13 were wounded as officers took control of the prison. Prison Guard Charles Gilles also died during the riot when he suffered a fatal heart attack while manning the front gate. The six ringleaders of the riot were convicted of murder in connection with Guard Singleton's death. When the jury sentenced them only to life in prison the local district attorney filed murder charges in connection with the death of a fellow prisoner who was killed during the riot. The six prisoners were convicted and sentenced to death for the prisoner's murder. Five of the six were executed by hanging in January 1930. One of the prisoners who was executed had originally been sent to prison for the murder of Constable George Boyle, of the Fresno County Constable's Office, on November 18th, 1924.
Survivors
Guard Singleton was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnbbn0fby8n0n90r34hr- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ray. 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.
Prison Guard Singleton served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prison Guard Singleton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has lost 42 officers; 30 of them killed feloniously.
Ray is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 1 officer at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 21 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 7.
In 1927, 9 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ray was 41. Of the 30 killed feloniously at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 46; the middle age was 40.5.
Ray was 41. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Ray was 41. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Ray was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 6.7% of these deaths at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; August holds the most, 16.7%. Thursdays: 20%.
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 42 deaths at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has 42 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
-
William Leopold Cotter Jul 27, 1903
-
John Drewry
Oct 16, 1914
-
Branch Martin Miller Aug 20, 1925
-
Charles Bartholemew Gillies Nov 24, 1927
-
Ray Tyree Singleton
Nov 24, 1927
-
Albert Henry Fiess Apr 13, 1934
-
Harry E. Martin Sep 19, 1937
-
Clarence Larkin
Sep 24, 1937
-
Willard Johnston
Feb 24, 1938
-
Vern Adolph Mackin Jan 14, 1952
-
Charles Wiget
Jan 14, 1952
-
Frank Rankin, Jr.
Jan 30, 1960
-
Connie Prock
Jun 26, 1963
-
Ralph Canning
Apr 23, 1965
-
John V. Mills
Jan 16, 1970
-
William C. Shull
Jul 23, 1970
-
Robert J. McCarthy
Mar 4, 1971
-
Kenneth E. Conant
May 19, 1971
-
Leo G Davis
Jul 21, 1971
-
Frank P DeLeon
Aug 21, 1971
-
Jere Patrick Graham
Aug 21, 1971
-
Paul Krasenes
Aug 21, 1971
-
Ronald L. Turner
Sep 16, 1971
-
Jesus Sanchez
Oct 6, 1972
-
Jerry Sanders
Nov 27, 1973
-
Richard Ochoa Apr 26, 1976
-
Victor A. Sam
Aug 21, 1977
-
Albert William Patch
Aug 17, 1980
-
Charles Sickles
Apr 1, 1981
-
Howell Dean Burchfield
Jun 8, 1985
-
Lyle Herman
Jun 29, 1988
-
Judith Ann Henkel
Feb 3, 1995
-
Paul B. Beridon
Sep 11, 1997
-
Mylene G. Zalar
Sep 11, 1997
-
Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr.
Jan 10, 2005
-
Gilbert Cortez
Mar 25, 2013
-
Armando Jr Gallegos Jr.
Sep 14, 2018
-
Daniel Lopez Mendoza, III
May 30, 2020
-
Richard Allan Bianchi
Jun 25, 2020
-
Jose Alfredo Diramos Kates
Jul 11, 2020
-
Gilbert Polanco
Aug 9, 2020
-
Joshua Lemont Byrd
Jul 17, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
