Rivan
K9 Rivan was stabbed to death while trying to stop an attack on an inmate by four other inmates at the Sussex I State Prison at 24414 Musselwhite Drive in Waverly, Virginia.
While one inmate watched, three inmates were assaulting another inmate. K9 Rivan and his handler attempted to stop the attack and save the inmate’s life. The three inmates kicked and stabbed K9 Rivan repeatedly as K9 Rivan, K9 Rivan’s handler, and other Corrections Officers established order.
Despite lifesaving measures by the Virginia Department of Corrections staff, K9 Rivan succumbed to his wounds. K9 Rivan’s handler did not sustain any serious injuries.
The injured inmate was treated at a local hospital and returned to the Sussex State Prison.
The four inmates involved in the attack were verified members of the MS-13 gang, convicted of felonious crimes such as homicide, attempted rape, kidnapping/abduction, and child pornography charges, grand larceny, and possession of schedule III drug while being in the United States illegally.
K9 Rivan had served with the Virginia Department of Corrections for almost five years. His mother served with the Secret Service, and his father served with a police department in Southwest Virginia.