A 16-year veteran correctional officer remembered for his professionalism was named as the only hostage to die in a Delaware prison riot.
Sergeant Steven Floyd was killed when more than 100 inmates took over the maximum-security prison in Smyrna, although authorities have not yet said how Floyd died.
Prison inmates briefly seized control of the prison, taking three correctional officers and a female counselor hostage overall. The other hostages were eventually released unharmed.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Floyd Was Remembered as a Correctional Officer Whose Professionalism Was ‘Beyond Reproach’
“Sgt. Steven Floyd was one of the finest examples of a Correctional Officer there was,” wrote one of his fellow correctional officers on Facebook.
“His professionalism was beyond reproach and was one hell of a guy who was fun to talk to. To say he will be missed is an understatement. R.I.P. dude and God speed.”
Others also posted remembrances on social media.
According to ABC 6, the inmates gained control of the James T. Vaughn Correction Center with “sharp instruments” on February 1.
Inmates “also filled foot lockers with waters and stacked them at entryways to prevent authorities from getting in,” The New York Daily News reported.
2. Floyd Was Found Unresponsive Inside the Prison
Motorcade carrying the body of Sgt. Steven Floyd leaves the prison. @NBCPhiladelphia
“A tactical response team made entry into the prison approximately 20 hours” after the prison was seized and “located Sergeant Floyd’s body. The other prison employees were rescued,” reported the Officer Down Memorial page.
The page says “approximately 120 inmates housed in Building C at the time remained in custody.” It’s not yet publicly clear which of the 120 inmates inside the prison killed Floyd. All of the inmates are considered suspects in the murder, reported NBC 10.
A motorcade led Floyd’s body out of the prison and to the medical examiner’s office.
3. Some Inmates Reportedly ‘Shielded’ the Female Hostage From Harm
ABC 6 reported that some inmates protected the female counselor from coming to harm.
WBOC-TV reported that police used a backhoe to “breach” the prison walls and end the standoff.
According to NBC 10, the four hostages “were initially taken Wednesday in the T-shaped building with communal space in the middle, and two were held overnight in C Building. The negotiations ended and police entered the prison building after more than 18 hours.”
4. The Governor Said He Was Praying for the Slain Sergeant’s Family
Prayers to Sgt. Steven Floyd and his Family and to a speedy recovery to all the Delaware Corrections Officers injured.
In a statement, Delaware’s governor said the death of Floyd is a stark reminder of the dangers that correctional officers face.
“I’m praying hard for the fallen officer’s family,” Gov. John Carney said. “This serves as a tragic reminder that members of law enforcement risk their lives every day on behalf of the people of Delaware. We will stand by the fallen officer’s family and fellow law enforcement officers during what is an extremely difficult time.”
The governor also said that authorities would leave “no stone unturned” to find out what happened to Floyd.
5. Inmates Said They Were Rioting Over ‘Oppressive’ Conditions & Donald Trump
NYDailyNews: UPDATE: Employee found dead after the Delaware prison riot has been identified as Sgt. Steven Floyd t.co/HUJRp13WPk
According to WBOC, “the inmates told a local newspaper that concerns about their treatment and the leadership of the United States had prompted their actions.”
In calls to a local newspaper, a “man is heard citing Trump while explaining the reasoning for the situation. ‘Donald Trump, everything that he did, all the things that he’s doing now…We know that the institution’s gonna change for the worse,’” reported CBS Philadelphia.
NBC 10 reported that the inmates also said they rioted for “better education, effective rehabilitation and more transparency on prison funding.”