Correctional Officer Richard Ochoa, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California

Correctional Officer Richard Ochoa

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California

End of Watch Monday, April 26, 1976

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Richard Ochoa

Correctional Officer Richard Ochoa was bludgeoned to death while working at San Quentin State Prison.

Officer Ochoa was found unconscious with head injuries by another guard who sounded a whistle. He was rushed to the prison hospital but died a short time later. Three inmates were suspected of attacking him with a weightlifting bar.

On June 10, 1976, an inmate, 36, was charged with his murder. On January 31, 1977, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. His sentence would begin at the conclusion of a 6 to 20-year term for attempted robbery and a year-to-life term for assaulting a guard. The inmate became violent after he was forced to wear a jacket that had the word "SNITCH" on the back of it. This was not known until after the inmate's trial.

Officer Ochoa had served at San Quentin State Prison for four years. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Bio

Age 38
Tour 4 years, 8 months
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Assault
Weapon Blunt object
Offender Sentenced to life

correctional Facility, prisoner custody

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Most Recent Reflection

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I worked with Richard on the East Block Gunrail the evening before he was murdered. That was 48 years ago and as I look back I can honestly state that he was one of the most loving men I have ever known. The Propher Micah wrote over 700 years before our Lord was born a challange in Chapt. 6 vs 8, in Richard it was not a challenge.

William D Cavender
San Quentin State Prison

July 28, 2024