When California State Prison, Corcoran, Correctional Officer Socorro Rios was diagnosed with cancer, coworkers wanted to help. They organized a fundraiser, shaving their heads to show support. Raising $10,000 to help her in her battle, K-9 handler Rios instead donated all those funds to Valley Children’s Hospital.
In December 2018, she told her partner K-9 Handler David Grimsley she had breast cancer.
“Socorro has always been the person in the office who organized birthday gift cards or presents,” Grimsley said. “She always led the ‘gift basket’ donation for the Warden’s Christmas party.
“Often Socorro would make sure these things where done without taking any of the credit. Socorro is always doing things for others on her own time,” Grimsley said. “When Socorro began her treatment she quickly realized she was going to lose all of her hair. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Socorro with the help from her family, friends and her Central Region K-9 team, organized an event to raise money.”
Shaved heads
She shaved what remained of her own hair and others joined in the effort.
“Others also shaved their head to show support for Socorro while she battles this illness. Instead of Socorro keeping any of the proceeds for her own treatment, Socorro donated all of the $10,000 dollars raised to the Valley Children’s Hospital cancer ward and to the American Cancer Society,” Grimsley said.
“Socorro is a very strong person who has a great support system to include her family friends and work family. The support from staff throughout the state of California has been incredible. Our prayers are with you Socorro. May you beat this and give hope to all those who also suffer from this horrible disease. Stay strong and fight with all the strength and might you can possibly dish out, we support and appreciate all you do for others. It is time for us to do something for you.”
K-9 Mango’s contraband finds
Rios and Mango found contraband a week after arriving at the prison. On that day Mango alerted to a package in the mail room containing 14 grams of tobacco and a cellular telephone. The same day Mango also found a box in the Receiving & Release Property Room. It contained a cell phone, charger and three electronic cigarettes. To date, Mango has helped discover 320.7 grams of marijuana, 10.6 grams of heroin, 859.9 grams of tobacco, 38 cell phones and 13 strips of suboxone.