By Corrections1 Staff
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Thousands attended a memorial service to honor a Pennsylvania corrections officer who was beaten to death.
The Somerset Daily American reports that attendees from across the country gathered to remember Sgt. Mark Baserman. On Feb. 15, Baserman was attacked by inmate Paul Jawon Kendrick after the officer confiscated a towel from him. Baserman died 11 days after the attack.
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More than 3,500 people attended the service, with about 1,500 being COs, according to WJAC-TV. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf called Baserman a loving son and community servant.
“Sergeant Mark Baserman, in doing his duty to our state prison system – just as he willingly served in the U.S. Army and committed himself as an emergency medical technician – made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of keeping others safe,” said Governor Wolf.
Baserman was the first state CO to be killed in the line of duty since 1979.
Kendrick, who’s already serving a life sentence for murder, was arraigned on homicide and assault charges earlier this week.
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