Correctional Officer Ronald A. Barnes

Ronald A. Barnes

Correctional Officer Ronald Barnes died from acute head injuries after he was beaten by two inmates, both 19, during an attempted escape at the Southampton Correctional Center a few hours earlier.

The two kicked Officer Barnes in the head several times and then robbed him and another guard. They unlocked all the cells, but only a few joined them in their escape. All were captured. Some of the inmates helped with their capture.

Both were new inmates, sentenced to 25-year terms, one for murder, the other for rape. In 1976, both were sentenced to death plus 25 years for robbery and escape. In October of 1976, their death sentences were commuted to life. As of October 30, 2022, one was still in prison. The other was listed as a prison inmate in 1997.

Officer Barnes was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Virginia Department of Corrections for four years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.