Honor Guard
The Department of Corrections (DOC) recognizes the need for employees to represent the Department at recognition ceremonies, memorial services, and other public events. The DOC Honor Guard was established in 1988 at the Washington State Penitentiary. Today there are seven prison facilities that maintain an active Honor Guard.
Honor Guard Deployments
The list below represents some of the more recent Department of Corrections (DOC) Honor Guard deployments. See the agency's Facebook page for more DOC Honor Guard news .
- March 2018: CRCC Honor Guard Attends Memorial Service for Fallen Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Officer
- November 2017: Behind the Badge Regional Honor Guard training
- June 2017: Monroe Honor Guard Attends Texas Correctional Officer’s Funeral
- February 2017: Delaware Corrections Sergeant Memorial Attended by Washington Corrections’ Honor Guard
- January 2017: Honor Guard story
- October 2016: WCCW Honor Guard Attending Training Academy
- September 2016: CRCC Honor Guard Attends Memorial Service for Alabama Department of Corrections Officer
- September 2016: MCC and Correctional Peace Officer Foundation Honor Fallen Staff Through Walk of Remembrance
- September 2016: CRCC's Honor Guard Participates in Flag Raising Ceremony at Rosalind Franklin Stem Elementary
- August 2016: DOC Honor Guard Participates as Color Guard for Tacoma Rainiers Game
- January 2016: DOC Honor Guard Attends Private Memorial Service at MCC for Correctional Officer Jayme Biendl
- September 2015: Fallen Corrections Officer Medals Presented at Washington State Penitentiary
- September 2015: Airway Heights Corrections Center Honor Guard Opens Western National Correctional Industries Association conference
- August 2015: Monroe Honor Guard Opens Evergreen State Fair
Representing the Department
Per DOC 870.440 Dress Uniform & Honor Guard, when representing the Department in public view, employees will keep in mind that their personal bearing, appearance, and actions reflect the entire Department. The Dress Uniform is used to officially represent the Department at approved/sponsored public service and recognition ceremonies that may include, but are not limited to:
- Corrections Pride/Public Service Recognition events,
- Memorial/Veteran's Day ceremonies,
- Department formal graduation ceremonies,
- Agency Award ceremonies,
- Law Enforcement memorial/recognition events, and
- Department approved/sponsored funeral/memorial services for current or former employees.
To ensure uniformity and a professional appearance, the Dress Uniform must be worn in its entirety. Additional items not specified in the Ordering Guide & Requirements for Dress Uniforms (Attachment 2) may be worn with or attached to the Dress Uniform. The Dress Uniform Specifications (Attachment 1) contains detailed information about stars, leaves, bars and chevrons that may be attached to the Dress Uniform. The Service Ribbons (Attachment 3) contains information about the types of ribbons that may be attached to the Dress Uniform.
Honor Guard Responsibilities
Facilities are not required to maintain an active Honor Guard. The following prison facilities currently have, or have had, deployable Honor Guard:
- Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC), established 1994
- Clallam Bay Corrections Center (CBCC), retired
- Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC), established 2013
- Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC), established 2000
- Washington Corrections Center (WCC), established 1998
- Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW)
- Washington State Penitentiary (WSP), established 1988
The Chief of Emergency Operations is responsible for coordinating Honor Guard participation at approved Department and/or statewide public service and recognition events. The superintendents of facilities that maintain active Honor Guard are responsible for the overall operation of the Honor Guard, and for approving Honor Guard participation in local area/facility events and ceremonies.
Request an Honor Guard Deployment
- For local area/facility events, direct requests to the prison facility's superintendent for approval.
- For Department or statewide events, direct requests to DOC Headquarters. These requests will be routed to the Chief of Emergency Operations, who will seek approval from the Secretary or appropriate Assistant Secretary.
See DOC 870.440 Dress Uniform & Honor Guard for more information.
Resources
Policies
Below are Department of Corrections (DOC) policies that apply to Honor Guard.
Publications
Below are Department of Corrections (DOC) publications that apply to Honor Guard.
Resource Links
- Behind the Badge Foundation Regional Honor Guard Training
- Correctional Peace Officers Foundation Honor Guard