With a heavy heart, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has announced that one of its correctional lieutenants died on Thursday from COVID-19 complications.
Correctional Lieutenant Bobby Travelstead, 40, who passed away in a local hospital on Sept. 1, was a beloved member of the Sonoma County Jail command staff.
"Bobby was really well liked by everyone both within the law enforcement division and the detention division, so it hit our staff pretty hard," said Assistant Sheriff Eddie Engram.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer, extended their "heartfelt condolences" to Travelstead's family, friends and colleagues, calling his death "a devastating loss."
"Lt. Travelstead dedicated his life to service, working to ensure the safety of his community and our nation, and we are forever grateful," Newsom said in a statement.
Along with the command staff, Travelstead also worked in the peer support program designed to assist the mental health of fellow deputies.
"He was involved in quite a few programs here in the jail," explained Engram. "He touched just about everyone who came through that door."
The Sonoma County Jail had struggled with a COVID-19 outbreak in July, but that has since leveled off with just three confirmed positive cases.
"We’re constantly evaluating our protocols to see what we can do better to manage it," said Engram
Travelstead’s passing marks the second death of a Sonoma County peace officer from coronavirus. In 2020, Santa Rosa Police Detective Marylou Armer also died from COVID-19 complications.
The Sheriff's office did not comment on whether Travelstead was vaccinated or had underlying conditions at the time of his death. He is survived by his two daughters.
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