William E. McCasling

Correctional Officer William McCasling succumbed to injuries suffered during an inmate fight at the Pontiac Correctional Center. Correctional Officer McCasling was helping staff members break up a fight between two inmates near the prison chapel when he was hit in the face and struck his head as he fell onto the concrete floor. The altercation started about 2:15 pm when inmates were leaving the chapel where a movie had been shown. As one inmate was led to segregation, another went on a rampage, injuring at least three other staff members before he was subdued. Correctional Officer McCasling was pronounced dead at the prison hospital at 3:05 pm. Correctional Officer McCasling had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for just over five months.

He was survived by his wife and three children who were living in southern Missouri.