ATTICA, N.Y. — The Attica community marked the 50th anniversary of the riot at Attica Correctional Facility in 1971.

“They were husbands, fathers, sons, friends, neighbors and coworkers, who were not just loved by their families, but also loved and held in the highest esteem by their community,” said Anthony J. Annucci, acting commissioner of New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

“So many people have come here to pay respect for those who lost their lives,” said Deanne Quinn Miller, whose father was killed in the riot.

Fifty years have passed, but the village of Attica has never forgotten about the 11 employees killed.

“They’re not forgotten and they shouldn’t be,” Bonnie O’Brien of Silver Springs said.

“My father is William Quinn; he was the first correction officer who died in the riot,” said Deanne Quinn Miller.

“My father was taken hostage on the 9th and killed on the 13th,” said Kentt Monteleone.

Loved ones said it was a meaningful day to see the community honor the anniversary of the men who died.

“It’s very surreal I think, to think that 50 years have passed,” Quinn Miller said. “I was 5 years old at the time, my dad was 28, and I still can’t believe it’s been as long as it has.”

Although 50 years have passed, families say there’s still pain over the incident.

“It’s not any easier. I mean, I was only 7 at the time when he passed, so it’s been a huge burden,” Monteleone added. “But each year it gets a little easier, but it’s never going to heal. I’m always going to have the scar.”

With many unknowns to everything that happened, family members still want answers from the state, and an apology for how families were treated.

“We just want the truth,” Monteleone said. “The trust hurts, sure, I found out some truth that hurt, but I’m able to live with it, just help with closing.”

Family members of the correctional officers who passed away in the riot are hopeful nothing like it happens again.