Correctional Officer

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

10/24/2008

Special Act Award (Gold)

On October 24, 2008, two inmates suddenly started striking an officer and a sergeant performing searches of inmates leaving the culinary kitchen at Ironwood State Prison. The Yard Alarms were activated, and Correctional Officer Christopher A. Briones immediately responded to the incident and observed two inmates fighting with two of his fellow officers. When he arrived on the scene, the two officers had gained control over the two inmates. At the same time, almost 300 inmates were inside the nearby dining hall. Some of these inmates, sensing opportunity, began to assault officers inside the dining hall. Officer Briones saw three officers stumble out of the dining hall and immediately ran to the exit door of the dining hall. Looking through the window of the door, he could see that an officer was on the ground near the wall, approximately seven rows away from the entrance door. The officer was being kicked by several inmates. Unable to enter the hall from this door, Officer Briones ran to the entrance door and yelled to another officer to open the door. Without regard for his own safety, he drew his baton and ran into the dining hall. As he entered, the inmates started attacking him with trays and cups. Officer Briones covered his face and head with his arm and moved toward the officer who was still being attacked. Using his body as a shield, Officer Briones dragged the downed officer to safety, stopping at times to defend them both against inmates as he moved toward the exit. Once the downed officer was safe, Officer Briones reentered the dining hall to assist another officer who was walking toward the exit with a bloodied face. Officer Briones grabbed the officer, who immediately fell to her knees once outside the dining hall. Officer Briones displayed exceptional courage by putting his own safety aside by entering the dining hall to save his fellow officers from serious injury or possible death.