"Virginia K-9 Sacrifices Life to Protect Officer and Inmate from Prisoner Attack"

A K-9 named Rivan, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, died after being "violently and repeatedly stabbed and kicked" by inmates affiliated with the MS-13 gang while protecting a correctional officer responding to a violent attack at the Sussex I State Prison in Virginia. The officer, Kharmishia Phillip Fields, was unharmed due to her training and Rivan's courageous actions. The inmates involved were verified members of MS-13 and were in the U.S. illegally. The Virginia Department of Corrections intends to seek prosecution of the inmates to the fullest extent of the law, and a memorial service is being planned for Rivan.