Memorial wall remembers CMC fallen staff
A new wall at California Men’s Colony (CMC) helps ensure staff remembers those who have come before.
While teaching a class at CMC, Correctional Counselor Corey Tomasini asked everyone to write down the name of a staff member who died. While they wrote names, he repeatedly heard the phrase, “Oh yeah, I forgot about…”
Since CMC did not have a memorial dedicated to the staff members who have passed away, they decided to change the situation.
Counselor Tomasini brought this to the attention of Warden J. Gastelo, Chief Deputy Warden D. Samuel and retired CMC Correctional Officer Henry Andrews. The only questions asked by the Warden were, “When can we get started? How long will it take?”
Thanks to the generosity of organizations, private donors, and volunteers devoting hours to planning and construction, the CMC Memorial Wall is now a reality.
Tomasini hopes word of the memorial will spread, with every CDCR institution and agency creating their own. The CMC Memorial Wall ensures staff remembers those who have fallen.
“(CDCR) keeps moving and doesn’t stop. It keeps moving on,” said Tomasini. “We just become too busy to stop, remember and honor.”
The wall is in CMC East Facility Administration next to the main staff entrance, reminding all passersby of those who have gone on before us.
The wall contains 152 names of former CMC staff members. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, they will never be forgotten. Special thanks also goes to Tomasini, Andrews, Maintenance Mechanic Michael Dawson, and Supervisor of Building Trades Ian Johnston.
By Lieutenant John Hill
See more community involvement stories.