Sheriff's Lieutenant Who Died Of COVID-19 To Be Honored In CA

RIVERSIDE, CA — Flags at the state Capitol were flying at half staff Saturday in honor of a Riverside County sheriff's correctional lieutenant who died from complications of COVID-19.

Lt. Steve Taylor, 51, died on Thursday. He was a 27-year veteran of the sheriff's department and was most recently assigned to the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

Taylor was promoted to lieutenant in January 2019, according to a post by the sheriff's department on social media. Prior to that he was a correctional deputy, corporal and sergeant.

Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked Taylor for his decades of service in a statement released Saturday.

"It is with great sadness that Jennifer and I send our sincere condolences to the family, friends and members of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department on the loss of Lieutenant Steve Taylor. We are forever grateful for his nearly three decades of dedication to the Riverside community," Newsom said.

The sheriff's department announced Taylor's death Thursday, writing, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time."

According to the press release from the governor's office, Taylor is survived by his wife, Lillia, and his stepdaughter, mother, sister and brother.

—City News Service