Smyrna – Just two days ago Sergeant Steven R. Floyd Sr. put his uniform on for the last time. While on duty Floyd, a corrections officer at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna, found himself in the middle a prison”siege”. Geoff Klopp, president of the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware said the siege began when inmates staged a fight.
Klopp said Floyd sent an alert over the radio and was then thrown into a closet by the inmates. Klopp continued “When the lieutenants came into the building, that’s when Sergeant Steven R. Floyd Sr. told the lieutenants that it was a trap and to get out of the building,”
“Sergeant Steven R. Floyd Sr. saved lives in an emergency situation yesterday in C Building at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.” said Klopp.
We don’t fully know what transpired inside C Building during the 18 hour hostage standoff but we do know that Sergeant Floyd didn’t make it out alive.
Just after 5:00 a.m. on Thursday rescue personal breached C Building rescuing a female hostage and finding Floyd unresponsive. He was later pronounced dead at 5:29 a.m.
If you would like to help a GoFundMe page has been setup by the Correctional Officers Association of Delaware. They have a fundraising goal of $30,000.
On February 1st, 2017, the State of Delaware, the employees of the Delaware Department of Correction and the those assigned to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC) were changed forever. Conditions at the prison led to a mass riot in C-Building, which we all know caused serious injury and death to our Correctional Officers.
In an effort to assist the victims of this tragic incident and the family of our fallen Sergeant we have established this account to answer the call to those who have asked to support the victims and families. This funding site was created by the very officers whom have worked along-side those affected by this tragic event. Once funds have reached either the achieved level, or more, the union body as a whole will approach the families to have the monies divided between them.
Correctional Officers Association f Delaware Treasurer, Jason Hornlein will be assigned to collect the final funds on behalf of all of you and funds will be delivered to the families
You can also visit the SportZone Restaurant and Sports Club in Smyrna on Monday, February 6, 2017, 25% of all sales will be donated to the Floyd family.
A raffle will take place all day and all raffle proceeds will also be donated to the family. Additionally, iHeartRadio will be onsite from 7-10 p.m.
The Department of Corrections released a statement regarding Sergeant Floyd.
It is with sad hearts and heavy laden that The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) announces the demise of Sergeant Steven R. Floyd. Born November 11, 1969, Floyd was forty-seven years of age on the date of his passing; February 2, 2017. Notwithstanding the hostage situation which occurred at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center; Sergeant Floyd remained steadfast and never wavered in his duties as a sworn law enforcement Officer.
Floyd has been employed with the DOC for over 16 years all of which was served at the Vaughn Correctional Center, formerly the Delaware Correctional Center. He began his career in May of 2000 as a Correctional Officer, subsequently promoting to the rank of Sergeant in 2002.
Sergeant Floyd was a dedicated officer as demonstrated via the following accolades: perfect attendance (2004 & 2005) and receipt of the facility’s Warden’s Award (2016) for Outstanding Performance. . Notwithstanding the hostage situation which occurred at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center; Sergeant Floyd remained steadfast and never wavered in his duties as a sworn law enforcement Officer.
Delaware State Police Homicide unit detectives, with the assistance of the Delaware Department of Correction, are continuing their investigation into the death of Correctional Officer Sergeant Steven R. Floyd, which occurred at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on Thursday, February 2, 2017, according to State Police.
They expect the investigation to be lengthy and arduous due to the number of inmates involved and the the amount of evidence that needs to be examined.
Detectives will be conducting hundreds of interviews and must collect and examine countless pieces of physical and video evidence.
Delaware State Police and the Department of Correction have closed C Building as it is being held as a crime scene.
The inmates who were housed in C Building have been moved to other secure areas of the prison, according to a Jayme Gravell, spokeswoman from the Department of Corrections.