Correctional Officer Found Dead in Washington Prison

Donations to support Officer Biendl's family can be made at any Key Bank location under the name "Jayme Biendl Memorial Fund".

Correctional Officer Jayme Biendl

(MONROE, Wash.) - A correctional officer was found dead late Saturday night at Monroe Correctional Complex. An offender who was found earlier was taken to a segregation unit while Monroe police officers investigate.

The officer, Jayme Biendl, 34, had been with the Department of Corrections since 2002.

At about 9:14 p.m. the staff conducted a routine count of offenders inside the Washington State Reformatory Unit and discovered that an offender was missing. The offender was found three minutes later in chapel lobby and told officers he had planned to escape.

An hour later staff members completed an inventory of equipment and discovered that a correctional officer’s keys and radio were missing. Staff members immediately went to where she worked and found her unresponsive. The staff conducted CPR and called 911. Emergency responders declared the officer dead at the scene at 10:49 p.m.

Monroe Correctional Complex was on lockdown Sunday as local law enforcement continued to investigate.

Memorial Fund

Donations to support Officer Biendl's family can be made at any Key Bank location under the name "Jayme Biendl Memorial Fund".

Memorial Services

Information about memorial services will be posted on www.doc.wa.gov as soon at it becomes available.

Flags

The Governor ordered today that flags should be flown at half staff in recognition of Officer Biendl beginning February 1, 2011.

Additional information will be posted on www.doc.wa.gov as it becomes available.

Source: Washington Department of Corrections