U.S. Navy · United States 
Jose Rivera
2008
Jose Rivera served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Edged weapon
What Happened
Location: California
Weapon: Edged weapon; Shank
Offender: Sentenced to life
Correctional Officer Jose Rivera was stabbed to death by two inmates at United States Penitentiary Atwater in Atwater, California. The inmates stabbed Officer Rivera with homemade knives as he was locking cell doors in preparation for the 4:00 pm headcount.
Other officers immediately responded to the location and restrained both suspects. Officer Rivera was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later.
One inmate, serving a life sentence for a third robbery, was convicted of murder and received a new life sentence. The other inmate, serving a life sentence for murder, is to be tried in April of 2015.
One of the inmates who murdered Officer Rivera had been implicated, but never charged, in the murder of Correctional Officer Douglas Mashburn of the Guam Department of Corrections on June 24th, 1987.
Officer Rivera was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for only 10 months.
Weapon: Edged weapon; Shank
Offender: Sentenced to life
Correctional Officer Jose Rivera was stabbed to death by two inmates at United States Penitentiary Atwater in Atwater, California. The inmates stabbed Officer Rivera with homemade knives as he was locking cell doors in preparation for the 4:00 pm headcount.
Other officers immediately responded to the location and restrained both suspects. Officer Rivera was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later.
One inmate, serving a life sentence for a third robbery, was convicted of murder and received a new life sentence. The other inmate, serving a life sentence for murder, is to be tried in April of 2015.
One of the inmates who murdered Officer Rivera had been implicated, but never charged, in the murder of Correctional Officer Douglas Mashburn of the Guam Department of Corrections on June 24th, 1987.
Officer Rivera was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for only 10 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, two sisters, and brother.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons
Correctional Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnpkarbvc4g5vx3df1yf
Record added
August 2, 2026
neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by
neuraweb.nw
Last updated
August 2, 2026
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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jose. Claim this record.
Be the first to honor Jose.
Leave a Tribute