Correctional Officer Steven P. Ary, Sr., Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania

Correctional Officer Steven P. Ary, Sr.

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania

End of Watch Sunday, September 16, 1973

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Steven P. Ary, Sr.

Correctional Officer Steven Ary was stabbed to death while working at SCI-Graterford.

He was attacked in a corridor near the prison's kitchen and stabbed more than 40 times.

The 24-year-old inmate was serving a life sentence for the murders of two patrons at a Philadelphia bar three years earlier. The charge of murdering Officer Steven was dismissed in court because the only witness refused to testify.

Officer Ary was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 29
Tour Not available
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon
Offender Murder charge dismissed

correctional Facility, prisoner custody

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Most Recent Reflection

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This is a much belated remembrance as I just found this memorial page. I started at SCI -Graterford in January of 1973 as a Correctional Counselor. I do remember FSI Ary although I didn't know him well. I knew the kitchen area was a place where you needed to be careful because there were many Isolated and dark areas. There were often problems there. It was a very difficult place to work and FSI Ary was known to always do a good job. I remember the person who refused to testify about what he saw. I remember the inmate who was accused of his murder. I do think of the staff killed and injured while I worked at SCIG. I always remember FSI Ary first. May you rest in peace and be remembered for your service to your country and the people of Pennsylvania.

Thomas Stachelek
Deputy Superintendent Retired SCI- Graterford Pa. DOC.

September 26, 2025