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Lewis Washington Roper
Incident
Location: Virginia Incident Date: Friday, December 29, 1916 Weapon: Blunt object Offender: Sentenced to 3 months
Guard Lewis Roper succumbed to injuries sustained four months earlier during an escape attempt from the Occoquan Workhouse in Fairfax County, Virginia.
He was overseeing a work crew near the Workhouse's administrative building when one of the prisoners approached him from behind and struck him on the back of the head with a pick axe handle, fracturing his skull. Guard Roper then fell face first into a camp fire.
A second prisoner pulled him out of the fire and then grabbed Guard Roper's service revolver. That prisoner and five others then fled on foot through the woods and swampy area near the prison. Four of the six escapees were captured several hours later and returned to the Workhouse.
Guard Roper was transported to George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC, where he remained for several months. He was discharged in the end of March 1917 and sent to Florida to recuperate. Within days of arriving in Jacksonville, Florida, he experienced severe complications of his injuries and died on April 3rd, 1917.
Two prisoners were charged with Guard Roper's murder. The prisoner who struck him was convicted of felonious assault and received a $300 fine and three month prison sentence. The prisoner who stole his revolver was acquitted.
Guard Roper had served in law enforcement for approximately 17 years. He had previously served with the Sylvester, Georgia, Police Department and as a guard at the federal penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Roper gave the District of Columbia Department of Corrections 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of the District of Columbia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Roper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
District of Columbia Department of Corrections has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Lewis is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1917, 1 officer at District of Columbia Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1917, 3 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lewis was 46. Of the 7 killed feloniously at District of Columbia Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 44; the middle age was 40. Lewis had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Lewis was 46. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Lewis had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Lewis was 46. 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. Lewis had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lewis was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lewis had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 14.3% of these deaths at District of Columbia Department of Corrections; December holds the most, 28.6%. Tuesdays: 28.6%.
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Tuesdays: 12.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at District of Columbia Department of Corrections. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.5% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
District of Columbia Department of Corrections has 7 officers remembered here, Lewis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from District of Columbia Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
