Pontiac Correctional Officer William E. McCasling was helping staff break up a fight between two inmates near the prison chapel Nov. 10, 1967 when he was hit in the face and struck his head as he fell on the concrete floor. The ruckus started about 2:15 p.m. when inmates were leaving the chapel where a movie had been shown. As one inmate was led to segregation, the other went on a rampage and injured at least three other staff before he was subdued. McCasling was pronounced dead at the prison hospital at 3:05 p.m. He had been employed at the facility for just over five months and was survived by his wife and three children who were living in southern Missouri.