02/28/2013
DOJ - Federal Bureau Of Prisons
United States Penitentiary - Canaan, Pennsylvania
Correctional Officer Eric Williams
End Of Watch: 02-25-13
Correctional Officer Eric Williams, 34, was killed by an inmate while he stood the line between the evil and the innocent (details below). Born with a soul that has courage to wear the badge, Officer Williams had been Saving, Serving and Protecting the People for nearly four years. Brother Eric began his calling as a Law Enforcement Officer after obtaining his CJ degree and then joined the Jefferson Township Police Department where he worked as a Patrol Officer. Like all of us, all he ever wanted to do was to help People and keep them safe. On 11 September 2011, Officer Williams took the job most do not have the courage to do ... working behind the walls as our last line of defense. And he dd it with incredible Honor, Fearlessness, and Fairness ...
Brother Eric walked the halls of the Canaan Federal Prison and he took great pride in all he did here. CO Williams was known to be the one who was ever-vigilant in his duties, including the safety of his fellow Officers as well as himself. Being locked up with the worst of the worse, not being able to tune out the sounds of the concrete jungle, a Correctional Officer has to find a way to balance his mind to keep his sanity. Brother Eric not only had the best way to keep himself sane, but also his fellow COs and even the inmates ... with his incredible and funny sense of humor. If you were having a tough day, whether as an Officer or an inmate, leave it to Eric to make things seem not so bad after all. He could leave even the hardest of criminals in stitches (and not the suture kind, the laughing kind). This played a major role in his work because working as a Correctional Officer, in most often very confined spaces, keeping the mood on the lighter side meant keeping everyone safer and diffusing a potentially volatile atmosphere. And CO Williams was the best at this. Make no mistake though, this True Blue Warrior was not one to back down when things did get rough in there. He commanded his authority, held his own, and never hesitated to cover his co-workers' backs. But it was his compassion that truly stood out with the inmates as well as his Supervisors. Officer Williams did not judge someone for the mistakes they made in life. He had a job to do and did it well, but he also never lost sight that these were human beings. Garnering much respect, CO Eric Williams represented so well and in such fine fashion ... Living As Only A Hero Could.
When not in uniform, Brother Eric loved spending time fixing up his new cottage on the lake and visiting with his close family and friends. For his 'escape', Eric enjoyed the outdoors and all it had to offer. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, loved to bowl and was even a great soccer player. His greatest enjoyment, however, came from being able to make others laugh. This amazing young Son and Brother of Blue will be incredibly missed by so many ... so few will forget the day he was taken from us all too soon ..
*The following is just preliminary as this is an ongoing investigation. We will update as we can* - At approximately 2200hours, while working in a housing unit of the penitentiary, Co Williams was attacked by an inmate and critically wounded. Fellow Officers were able to subdue and detain his attacker. Brother Eric was transported to the hospital, but this proved to be his final battle. At 2330hours, Correctional Officer Eric Williams succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced. Preliminary indications suggest he suffered blunt force trauma to the head and was stabbed multiple times. I will update exact cause when Officially released. In the meantime, the F.B.I. is leading the investigation.
Eric leaves behind his parents, two brothers and a sister. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Williams family, the Men and Women at the Canaan Penitentiary, the Jefferson Township PD, and to all whom have had the pleasure and the privilege of knowing and working along side this True Blue Hero.
Eric, as you now stand watch at the gates of Heaven, may you continue your vigilance and protection over us all as we carry on in the battles to come. We thank you for your service and for your sacrifice. We thank you for your life. Job Well Done Sir.
Rest In Peace Correctional Officer Eric Williams ... We have the watch from here. SALUTE!
~written by Nessie for True Blue Warriors.org~ www.facebook.com/truebluewarriors
copyright2013 TrueBlueWarriors/Nessie
DOJ - USP Canaan: http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/caa/index.jsp
Officer Williams' funeral is Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Faustina Kowalska Parish - the former Holy Trinity Church - at 520 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, South Main Street, Hanover Twp.
