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Incident
Lieutenant Bobby Travelstead died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while serving as the Watch Commander of the Main Adult Detention Facility at 2777 Ventura Avenue.
Lieutenant Travelstead was a United States Navy veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He had served with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Lieutenant Robert Lloyd Travelstead died on September 1, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 40.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his two daughters and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp3q7tdgq1ceex3rd98c- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 3 gates. Robert is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Lieutenant Travelstead gave the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Rosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Travelstead.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Lloyd Travelstead served in the U.S. Navy (2001â2006) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Robert is one of 75 officers lost to illness in CA, 4.1% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Robert is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 25 officers in CA were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Robert was 40. Of the 75 lost to illness in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 53; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Robert was 40. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Robert had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Robert was 40. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Robert had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
September holds 8% of these deaths in CA; January holds the most, 13.3%. Wednesdays: 17.3%.
September holds 11.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
September holds 9.8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.1% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Military Service
Robert Lloyd Travelstead served in the U.S. Navy (2001–2006) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Lloyd Travelstead’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Sonoma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
