(Correctional Officer Lyle Herman was killed while trying to help a neighbor in 1988. This story originally published in Correction News, Vol. 2, No. 3, September 1988. Today, New Folsom Prison is known as California State Prison, Sacramento. The following is republished as originally written.)
Folsom Correctional Officer Lyle Herman, Jr., died June 29, 1988, after suffering head injuries when he intervened during a robbery.
Herman, 37, came to the aid of a neighbor who was being robbed and beaten by four suspects on June 20. The suspects turned on Herman, beating and kicking him until he was unconscious.
He was taken to a Sacramento hospital where he was treated and released. But Herman complained of headaches and continued treatment as an outpatient.
On the morning of June 29, he collapsed and died. Officer Herman’s death was due to a brain hemorrhage resulting from a blow to the head he received while intervening in a robbery nine days before.
The funeral services for Herman were held Saturday, July 2, 1988, in Sacramento.
Suspects held in the case were charged with murder.
Recently, Officer Herman’s wife and their three children visited Folsom Prison. Warden Robert Borg presented Mrs. Herman with a check for $2,000 donated by staff members from both Old and New Folsom.
Mrs. Herman was also presented a letter of commendation for Officer Herman’s outstanding record as an employee of the department for which he earned the respect of his fellow officers and supervisors.
Mrs. Herman and the children then toured the areas where Officer Herman worked. They were able to meet with and share with many of the staff members who worked with Officer Herman.
“Officer Lyle Herman, Jr., was an excellent employee, an asset to the department, and an outstanding example of the commitment and sacrifice demonstrated by law enforcement officers. His death is a great loss to his family and to Folsom Prison. he will be deeply missed by his friends at Folsom,” said Warden Borg.
Herman entered the Correctional Training Center at Galt in August 1986, graduating six weeks later. He was assigned to Folsom Prison upon his graduation and worked there until his death. During the last 15 months, he was assigned to Facility C at New Folsom.
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