Officer Hoffman - USP Marion

Robert L. Hoffman

Staff Position: Senior Officer Specialist
Location: USP Marion
Last Watch: October 22, 1983

On October 22, 1983, at about 8:30 p.m., Officer Robert L. Hoffman was assigned to the Control Unit (H unit), when he observed two officers under assault. Inmate Clayton Fountain was being returned to his cell when he broke free, obtained a knife from another inmate, and started to attack the two officers. Officer Hoffman left a safe area to render assistance, then was repeatedly stabbed by inmate Fountain. Two other staff members were injured before the inmate was restrained. Except for Officer Hoffman, the other staff victims survived their serious injuries.

While it is believed that inmate Fountain was inspired by the killing of Officer Merle E. Clutts earlier that same day in the same unit, this murder was determined to be unrelated.

At the time of his attack on Officer Hoffman, inmate Fountain was a military prisoner (U.S. Navy) serving two life sentences for murder. He was responsible for 5 deaths during the 10 years he had been incarcerated, and four deaths (including Officer Hoffman's) while in Bureau custody. Inmate Fountain received a life sentence and died at MCFP Springfield on July 12, 2004.