Corrections officer at Southwest Virginia prison killed in attack

Governor Youngkin condemned the attack of an inmate at a Southwest Virginia penitentiary that fatally injured a corrections officer and asked for prayers for his family.

The Department of Corrections reported the death of 40-year-old Jeremy Lewis Hall, a victim of violence at the hands of a prisoner at River North Correctional Center in Independence Monday morning. Two other officers were treated then released for their wounds from the attack.

A DOC report said Hall had been working at the prison since April of last year. A report on the charges against the River North inmate are forthcoming.

Suzanne and my prayers are with the family of the officer killed this morning in the line of duty and the other officer injured following a violent attack by an inmate at River North Correctional Center in Independence. The facility is secure and the criminal investigation is…

— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) November 17, 2025

(IMAGE: River North Corrections / Grayson County, Virginia / Property of Google Maps)