A tragic incident occurred at Sussex I State Prison in Virginia where a K-9 named Rivan was stabbed to death by MS-13 gang members while protecting a corrections officer and another inmate during an attack. The attack involved three inmates affiliated with MS-13 who viciously assaulted a fellow prisoner while a fourth supervised. Corrections Officer Kharmishia Phillip Fields and her K-9 Rivan responded to the assault, resulting in Rivan being violently stabbed and kicked by the inmates. Despite lifesaving measures, Rivan succumbed to his injuries, but his sacrifice potentially saved the lives of two individuals.
Officer Fields, a trained K-9 handler and 4-year Department veteran, sustained no serious injuries during the attack thanks to Rivan’s bravery. All four inmates involved in the incident are from El Salvador and Guatemala and are confirmed members of MS-13. They were in the US illegally at the time of their arrests and are facing numerous charges including first-degree homicide, attempted rape, kidnapping, malicious wounding, use of a firearm, child pornography, grand larceny, and drug possession. Additionally, the inmates are expected to face further charges related to the attack on Rivan.
VADOC Director Chad Dotson expressed the agency’s support for Officer Fields during this difficult time and commended her courageous actions during the assault. Rivan, a Belgian Malinois who was certified by VADOC in 2019, would have turned six years old on April 30. His lineage includes a father who served as a police dog in Southwest Virginia and a mother who worked for the Secret Service. A memorial service is being arranged to honor Rivan’s service and sacrifice.
The attacked inmate was taken to a local hospital for treatment and later returned to the prison. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and additional charges are expected to be filed against the inmates involved. The safety of the corrections team at VADOC remains a top priority, and the agency is committed to ensuring the well-being of its staff and the inmate population. The loss of Rivan is a tragic reminder of the risks faced by those working in correctional facilities, but his heroic actions will never be forgotten by the VADOC.
