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Incident
Guard F. M. Isaacs died of injuries he received when he was shot during an escape from the Nevada State Penitentiary.
Twenty-nine inmates staged an escape from the Nevada State Penitentiary at Carson City. Guard Isaacs of the Gold Hill penitentiary was in the yard when the prisoners began to flee. Guard Isaacs began firing but was hit with a bullet that broke his right knee. A second shot struck him in the hip.
Guard Isaacs did not recover from his injuries and died three weeks later.
The September 17, 1871 prison break was the largest prison break in American History. Of the 29 who escaped, 18 were captured and returned to prison. Nine were never seen again. Two were lynched by an angry mob who seized them from a posse who captured them near Mammoth Lakes, California, six days later. A lake they were hanged near was renamed Convict Lake.
During a shootout with the three escapees, Possemen Robert Morrison and Mono Jim of the Mono County, California, Sheriff's Dept. were shot and killed. Two of those men were executed. The third was returned to prison.
Guard Isaacs had served with the Nevada State Prison for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
155 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Prison Guard Isaacs gave the Nevada State Prison 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carson City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nevada State Prison has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
F. is one of 82 officers killed feloniously in NV, 56.2% of the 146 remembered there.
F. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
F. 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 1871, 1 officer in NV was killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 4.
In 1871, 33 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 152nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1871, 35 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 152nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
F. was 39. Of the 70 killed feloniously in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 37. F. had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
F. was 39. 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. F. had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
F. was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. F. had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 13.4% of these deaths in NV, more than any other month. Fridays: 9.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Nevada State Prison, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 56.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Nevada State Prison has 2 officers remembered here, F. among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Nevada State Prison are honored on badge.nw.
