My name is Jack Richardson and I am a Correctional Sergeant at Airway Heights Corrections Center, I just wanted to write this testimonial for the Assault Task Force.

As soon as the representatives for the Assault Task Force gave their schpeal at my prison I was sold. I can’t tell you how many uses of force, and assaults I have been involved in over the past 14 plus years. I guess that is just my luck. Wrong place wrong time, first one on scene, quickest reflexes, etc.

Now we have an organization for us. An organization that takes care of their own "us" in corrections and law enforcement.

Who else can say that they get paid time off, a check for $200.00, and someone to represent them in court with the judge and sue this dirt bag that just assaulted you.

Now speaking from personal experience I got $450.00 in assault checks and sued one of the dirt bags for $5000.00 in court. Hell I bought a new 1911 pistol with my checks. So if you look at it these dirt bags bought me a new pistol and now that I sued through the Assault Task Force and got the judgment one of those sons of bitches will be paying me out of his LFO fund until it is paid off.

In closing I just wanted all who read this on the web page to know it is nice to have an organization that takes care of us and sticks it to the inmates. I know that me and my new 45 acp thank the Task Force!!!!

Sincerely,
Big Jack

In September of 2009 I was assaulted by a mentally ill offender. At the time of the incident the injuries I sustained did not appear to be serious. Like most physical altercations once the adrenalin subsided, I realized the injuries were more serious than I first thought. I was taken to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a head concussion and torn neck muscles.

The Washington State Assault Task force stepped up and provided me with not only monetary help but also peer support. Specifically the Task Force is staffed by individuals that know exactly what Correctional Staff endure every day. That’s because they are staffed by former and current employees from varies Correctional facilities throughout the industry. Since the assault they assisted me in holding the offender accountable for his actions in the courts. In February 2010 the Snohomish County Courts awarded me $5,089 dollars for his assaultive actions against me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone from WSATF for providing my partners and I avenues to hold offenders accountable for their actions.

Best wishes,
Sergeant Jim Fletcher

Thanks for the opportunity to let "My Brothers in Blue" know about the quick response that the WSATF provided to me after my assault. On my "Vacation Friday" last year we were conducting movement from Mainline in one of the closed custody receiving units at Washington Corrections Center (WCC). My partner was talking to an inmate that seemed a little agitated. I proceeded to complete lock up while he dealt with the offender. As things go in our business, the inmate began to spit on my partner, so I secured the doors and assisted putting a spit hood on the hin; things escalated from there. The offender came off the wall and began spitting, kicking and clawing at us. During the assault I injured my thumb. I went to the hospital, had it checked out and left for vacation that night. When I returned to work my partner reminded me about the assault benefits available through WSATF. I contacted Keith Rapp, he made applying for the benefit easy and within a week I received a check from the Task Force. Keith and the other professionals at WSATF were quick to respond, and helpful with the paperwork needed to hold the inmate accountable for the assault. This is truly an organization that understands the concerns and needs of Corrections Officers.

Mike Kewley
WCC

I just wanted to say thank you. When I was assaulted by an offender at Washington Correction Center I was a member of WSATF (and still am). You were there for me and my family when DOC did not seem to care. I have worked in corrections for nearly six years and have seen a lot of staff assaults go unanswered and unpunished. It is not right. I know we walk through the gates every day not knowing what is going to happen, but to know that the WSATF "has our back" is a nice piece of mind.

On another note I just wanted you to know, as of today the offender who assaulted me has NOT yet been referred for charges. Yet he admitted in his 704 hearing that he did it.

Officer Ricker
WCC

My name is Jeffrey Bjork. I was a new officer working in the Special Offender Unit at Monroe Correctional Complex when I was attacked by an inmate who had slipped a hand out of his waist chains on March 1st 2009. Myself and my partner were viscously attacked by the offender who was upset about being transferred to Walla Walla. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and treated for my injuries which were extensive; my nose was broken in several places, I required stitches to the back of my head and received traumatic back and neck injuries. I had to have surgery on my nose.

Two days later before I even knew about the Task Force, Keith Rapp and Bob Davis were at my home talking to me and my wife about the attack. A couple of days later, I received a very substantial benefit check in the mail.

Not only did the WSATF provide financial assistance at a time that my family really needed it, but Keith became a good friend. We spent many hours together in person when he was in town, or we talked on the phone when he wasn’t.

The cool thing is that I did get my day in court. The Task Force paid all of the fees that were necessary to initiate a civil lawsuit against my attacker and to serve the inmate. Keith came to town and went to court with me on three different occasions. After a telephonic hearing at the Snohomish County Court, I was awarded over $5,000 in a judgment.

Jeff Bjork
MCC

When I was spit on, hitting me in the face I submitted my report to the WSATF that night via e-mail. The Task Force responded to me directly that night. Within one week, Mr. Rapp met with me personally and presented me with a benefit check. He was professional and personable and took my concerns personally. This is a great organization and a great benefit, and you cannot beat the cost.

Thanks Keith
Dave Niles
AVCC

A lot of officers have been asking me if I received my benefits from the Task Force, and I have nothing but good things to say about you guys. I was really impressed on how quickly I received my check and how easy it was to receive benefits. Although most officers up here at CBCC are already joined up with the WSATF, I do encourage any new officers to sign up. It really is a very good program to be a part of.

Mitchell Whorton
CBCC

On 7-21-09 I was thrown on by an offender and had to get a blood draw at the local hospital. I sent an e-mail to the Washington Staff Assault Task Force and they got back to me almost immediately. Once they took the information I received a check quickly.

Sean McGrady
MCC

I am a corrections officer at Airway Heights Corrections Center. I was recently assaulted by an inmate when he sprayed me with water in the kitchen. A few days prior to that incident I had turned in paperwork to Darren Kelly (the AHCC WSATF contact) to enroll in the organization. Yesterday I received a check for the incident. Thank you for all you guys do...it is appreciated.

Sincerely,
Timothy J Smith
AHCC

I am writing with regard to an incident that took place at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla on 02.23.2010. On that morning I was working at my job as a Corrections Officer on the east side of a living unit when I was assaulted by an inmate. Thankfully the training I received, coupled with the quick response of fellow officers and counselors in the unit at the time, meant that the incident was short lived and injuries minimized. I was however injured during the assault. A sprain to my right knee meant that I was out of work for almost two weeks.
I contacted Keith Rapp two days later and he was both professional and courteous toward me and the assault I had experienced. Within a week I received a check from the Washington Staff Assault Task Force. Keith then contacted me not just to ensure that I had received my benefit check, but also to make sure I was doing ok.

Although my experience on that day is one I would rather forget, my experience with the WSATF is something I will never forget.

Thanks again
C/O Nunan, Joe
WSP

My name is Keith Broadhead; I have worked at the Washington State Penitentiary for 20 years.

I am glad that there is an organization of our own that looks out for correctional staff. We are not merely employees; we are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters that go to work to perform our duties, while our loved ones wait for us to come home safely every day.

We work “behind the scenes” in the criminal justice world, and I think that we should have the same civil rights and support that law enforcement who work the streets have.
If you punch a police officer you know that you will be held accountable for your actions; if you are attacked by a prisoner it has always been considered as “part of the job.” We’re not paid, nor have we signed on to be assaulted. We work in a dangerous environment where we’re sometimes outnumbered 200 to 1. Having worked as a full time law enforcement officer I can assure you that a correctional officer sees more convicted felons in one day than most street cops see in their entire career.

The general public doesn’t think about us much, because they are excluded from the prison element; safely I might add because of what we do.

So, I am pleased that the WSATF has come forward to think about us, to provide support when we are assaulted and most importantly to hold the inmates accountable for their actions.
Since becoming a member of I was “thrown on” by an inmate. I contacted the WSATF, and received an assault benefit check in a short amount of time. The happy note to this story is that a civil lawsuit has been filed against the inmate who exposed me to his blood and body fluids; and I have a date in court to address the situation.

Keith Broadhead
WSP

I have observed staff  that get the short end of the stick with Washington’s “entitled inmates” not being held accountable when they assault our brothers and sisters at work. It is nice to see that there is finally a way to hold these inmates accountable when Management and the Attorney General does not. Even if the AG does charge an inmate for assault, which I know of only one time out of all the assaults over the years, the inmate holds up the process repeatedly by changing attorneys and using other legal tactics. At the very least we can see results faster than the regular process. I just hope that we do not need your services Keith but if we do at least there is something for everyone that joins. I hope everyone stays safe. 

Dave Roberts
Correctional Officer
MCC TRU

I am a Shift Sergeant at the Special Offenders Unit of the Monroe Correctional Complex … I have been a DOC employee for over thirteen years -- both in the state of Florida and in Washington … in early January of 2009 while directing the placement of an inmate into a four-point restraint bed, I was assaulted by that mentally ill inmate … I was kicked in the groin and I was out of work for three days … I wrote a 704 infraction against the inmate … I filled out the prerequisite accident report, went to the hospital for examination, and was notified that my L&I paperwork was being processed … and I expected nothing more …

It has always been my firm belief that any kind of staff assault is NOT an expectation of our job … police officers do not become officers so that they can get shot and killed … firemen don't go into their jobs expecting to die in a fire … we don't become custody officers to get maimed or kicked or beat with a broom handle or thrown on or spat upon  … in spite of public opinion, these are NOT realistic expectations …   

In mid-January I became a charter member of the Washington Staff Assault Task Force at MCC … I learned that I would be receiving monetary assistance and that WSATF would be initiating a law suit against the inmate on my behalf … much to my pleasant surprise, both were accomplished in very short order … and not only for me but for my fellow officers as well … I am now a happy MCC field representative for WSATF … if you are not a member, join today!!! 

Michael Boe

Correctional Sergeant

MCC SOU

Sgt. Boe got his day in court and sued the assaultive inmate. Inmate Schilling was held responsible for his actions in Snohomish County, and now owes a civil judgment of $5,029.00.

My name is Terry Paolino; I work at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla as a Correctional Sergeant. As I was leaving work one day I saw Keith Rapp who used to work at W.S.P. at the gate house soliciting support for a new organization called the Washington Staff Assault Task Force (WSATF) The Task Force holds offenders civilly responsible for their actions when they assault staff. I have always believed that they’re should be more consequences for an offender that assaulted staff, so I joined on the spot.

On October 30, 2008 I was attacked by an inmate. I was off work for a week and still have problems with my shoulders.

When I joined I had no idea that I would be the one of the ones to put the Task Force to the test. I am happy to report that the Task Force stepped up to the plate as soon as they learned of my assault. Mr. Rapp contacted me and obtained all the information he needed to set the wheels in motion. The Task Force took care of all the paperwork and fees needed to sue this offender and put it before the court. We now have a summary judgment against this Offender. This Offender will owe me $4000.00 when the final judgment is signed.

Terry Paolino
Correctional Sergeant
WSP

The final judgment was signed by a judge in Walla Walla County shortly after Terry wrote this testimonial.  Inmate Garcia-Ruiz was held responsible for his actions, and now owes Sgt. Paolino $4,032.40.

In December of 2007 I was assaulted and injured by an inmate in a dining hall at the Main Institution of the Washington State Penitentiary. After I found out about a new organization that has come to Washington State to support staff that has been assaulted, I contacted the WSATF. They were very supportive and helpful for me as a staff member.

Mark Abbott
Correctional Officer

*Officer Abbot received an assault benefit check several days after his attack. Although his injuries were severe, he returned to work shortly after the assault.

I was assaulted in Unit Seven at WSP by a new inmate on the receiving tier. I reached out to the WSATF and am very pleased with their cause, and impressed by the support they showed me and my family.

Caleb Wolkenhauer
Correctional Officer

*Officer Wolkenhauer was new to corrections with less than a year of employment. He expressed appreciation for WSATF’s support.

In September of 2005, I was severely assaulted while supervising the Main Institution Kitchen at WSP by a convicted felon. Since that time I have experienced the stress of dealing with undiagnosed injuries and unresolved issues concerning this life changing event. The bright side of this ordeal has been the recognition and assistance offered by the WSATF who have stood behind me and continue to stand by my family’s side. No one can convince us not to participate in this worthwhile organization.

Clyde Wallingford
Correctional Sergeant

*At the time of his vicious assault, Sgt. Wallingford was a senior employee with 32 years of experience working for DOC. Although his injuries were extensive he has returned to work.