(Editor’s note: This story on the slaying of Howell Burchfield at San Quentin was published in 1985 in Correction News, the departmental newsletter at the time.)
Burchfield was stabbed in the chest
Howell Dean “Hal” Burchfield, a San Quentin sergeant, was fatally wounded on the second tier of Carson Section.
He was wounded June 8, 1985, when an inmate-manufactured spear was thrust through the locked cell bars, striking Burchfield in the chest.
Burchfield was able to get down to the middle of the tier, where he collapsed after attempting to blow his whistle to alert the unit. Responding staff immediately took him to the institutional hospital where attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Shortly thereafter, he was pronounced dead by institutional medical staff. The assault took place at approximately 11:20 p.m.
Burchfield started his career with the department on Oct. 13, 1974, at Folsom State Prison as a correctional officer. He later transferred to Sierra Conservation Center as a correctional program supervisor. He then promoted at San Quentin as a correctional sergeant on July 14, 1983.
Burchfield is survived by his wife, Barbara, and five children, ranging in ages from 2 to 17. Services were held in Fairfax on June 12, 1985. The funeral was attended by over 500 uniformed correctional officers and other law enforcement agency representatives.
Also attending were Director McCarthy as well as representatives from the governor’s office who presented Mrs. Burchfield with a flag that had flown over the State’s Capitol.
Sgt. Burchfield’s remains were later cremated and his ashes scattered over the ocean.
>> Read a story about the 30-year anniversary of his slaying.
Learn more about California prison history.
Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.