California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California
End of Watch Friday, January 16, 1970
Add to My HeroesJohn V. Mills
Correctional Officer John Mills was beaten to death at Soledad Prison by three inmates in retaliation for the deaths of three inmates the previous week.
His body was found in the Y Wing, which was a medium security cell block and had been locked in with 95 other prisoners. A few months later, on July 23, 1970, Correctional Officer William Shull was stabbed to death in retaliation.
On July 21, 1971, Officer Leo Davis was stabbed to death at the San Quentin State Prison while guarding a prisoner who was a witness to Officer Shull's murder. Three inmates were attempting to gain access to the prisoner's hospital cell to murder him and attacked Officer Davis in an attempt to get his keys.
All three inmates were charged with first-degree murder. Two of the inmates were tried and acquitted in March of 1972. The evidence revealed that it was the third inmate who killed Officer Mills. That inmate, who was awaiting his trial at San Quentin, was shot and killed by a guard during a prison riot on August 21, 1971. The riot, which he was personally responsible for starting, resulted in the deaths of three Correctional Officers: Officer Frank Deleon, Sergeant Jere Graham, and Officer Paul Krasenes.
Officer Mills was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 14 months. He had recently been assigned to the Y Wing of the prison. He was survived by his wife, son, mother, and sister.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 1 year, 2 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Assault
- Weapon Person
- Offender Later shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 22 ReflectionsOfficer Mills,
On today the 55th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Europe during the Cold War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
January 16, 2025