INDEPENDENCE, Va. – Nov. 25 Update:
The VADOC announced Monday that a memorial service will be held for Officer Jeremy Lewis Hall at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Wytheville Meeting Center.
“Officer Hall was a dedicated member of River North’s corrections team and our agency as a whole,” said VADOC Director Chad Dotson. “This memorial service will allow us to honor him for his unwavering commitment to keeping Virginia safe. The agency is truly grateful and humbled by the overwhelming support from all corners of the country, and we thank you for your condolences and compassion during this difficult time.”
Nov. 19 Update:
Virginia State Police announced Wednesday that it would be providing an escort for Jeremy Lewis Hall, the Department of Corrections Officer who was killed in the line of duty on Monday.
VSP says the escort will depart from the office of the Medical Examiner, Western District and will return Officer Lewis to Independence.
Officers will gather at the 6600 block of Northside Drive at 11 a.m. Thursday and will depart once the Medical Examiner’s Office releases the remains.
VSP says traffic in the area of Peter’s Creek Road and Interstate 581 can expect some delay as the motorcade departs.
Nov. 19 UPDATE:
The National Coalition of Public Safety Officers (NCPSO) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have issued a statement following the death of the correctional officer John Holomon Russell:
The National Coalition of Public Safety Officers, members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), are deeply saddened by the recent loss of life and critical injuries sustained at River North Correctional Center in Southwest Virginia. This tragedy comes less than a week after a fatal attack at Greensville Correctional Center in Eastern Virginia. As horrifying as these events are, they are not surprising.
Chronic staffing shortages and high turnover in the Virginia Department of Corrections have persisted for more than a decade. Adequate staffing levels and proper training are foundational to the safe and effective operation of any correctional facility for officers, staff, and the incarcerated population. These issues have been our highest priority since 2009, yet year after year we have been met with denials, misdirection, and deflection. It was not until the appointment of Director Dotson that the department openly acknowledged that our concerns were not only valid, but critical.
We remain in the fact-gathering stage regarding both recent incidents. However, we are certain that staffing levels directly contributed to the death of an incarcerated individual at Greensville Correctional Center, where only one officer was present on the floor at the time of the attack. Information regarding the fatal assault at River North Correctional Center is still being collected.
NCPSO-VA/CWA remains fully committed to improving working conditions for our members in the Department of Corrections. Our union continues to advocate for adequate staffing, improved training, retention measures, better pay, and stronger benefits. Strengthening these conditions directly supports the department’s mission of ensuring public safety through high-level security, effective operations, and meaningful re-entry outcomes.
We are hopeful that Director Dotson will continue to work with us and with the incoming administration to make meaningful progress in all of these areas. Partnership, collaboration, and collective bargaining are essential to creating correctional centers that are safe and effective for employees and the incarcerated alike, ultimately improving the safety of the entire Commonwealth.
There has also been a GoFundMe page started to benefit the family https://gofund.me/63e5839ae
Chuck Simpson, President of CWA/NCPSO Local 2204
Nov. 18 UPDATE:
The Virginia Department of Corrections has provided more information following the attack by an inmate that left one correctional officer dead on Monday.
VADOC said the inmate was identified as 32-year-old John Holomon Russell.
Russell was serving an 11 year, 11 month total sentence. He was sentenced to 15 years with 8 years and 1 month suspended for a carjacking offense (offense date 5/9/2017) in Fairfax County Circuit Court, 3 years for use of a firearm in commission of a felony offense (offense date 5/9/2017) in Fairfax County Circuit Court, and 4 years and 8 months with 2 years and 8 months suspended for a shoplifting offense (offense date 11/15/2016) in Albemarle County Circuit Court.
Virginia Department of Corrections
VADOC’s Office of Human Resources is working closely with Officer Hall’s family in this difficult time. Various units from across the agency have offered support in solidarity to the family and the facility.
UPDATE:
The Virginia Department of Corrections provided an update and identified the victim of a Monday morning attack by an inmate at River North Correctional Center.
Corrections Officer 40-year-old Jeremy Lewis Hall, was killed in the attack. Hall had been employed with VADOC since April 25, 2024.
“Our agency, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and corrections professionals around the nation join us in mourning the loss of Officer Hall. Our hearts continue to be with Officer Hall’s family, friends, and his fellow public safety heroes at River North.”
VADOC Director Chad Dotson
Two other officers were attacked during the incident, and have since been released from the hospital.
ORIGINAL:
A corrections officer is dead following an attack that occurred by an inmate on Monday morning in Independence, the Virginia Department of Corrections said.
VADOC said they are mourning the death of an officer after they were attacked around 7:53 a.m. on Monday at River North Correctional Center.
Authorities said three officers were attacked in this incident. All were transported for medical treatment, and sadly, one was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
“Our agency and the entire Commonwealth are in mourning today. Our hearts are with the Officer’s family, the other Officer who was attacked, and to our public safety heroes at River North. The VADOC will do everything in its power to ensure this vicious attack is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Chad Dotson, VADOC Director
The correctional center is currently secure.
VADOC said more information will be released as it becomes available. We will update you as more information comes in.