Retired Captain Russell Bender, who logged 31 years of state service, passed away November 24, 2021.
Bender began his state career in June 1979 as a firefighter with the Department of Forestry.
In 1990, he became a correctional officer after graduating the Basic Correctional Officer Academy in Galt. His first assignment was Pelican Bay State Prison.
He promoted to Correctional Sergeant in September 1997 at Calipatria State Prison. He transferred to Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) as a Correctional Sergeant in August 2002. In December 2002, Bender transferred to CDCR Headquarters in Sacramento.
He remained at CDCR HQ until his appointment to the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility as a Correctional Lieutenant in July 2004. A year later, Bender transferred to California State Prison, Solano.
He was appointed to Captain at CDCR Headquarters in November 2015. Bender remained at headquarters until retiring in December 2020. After he retired, he relocated to Arizona, where he passed away at 60 years of age. Services in Arizona are pending.
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