The family of a correctional officer killed during the Feb. 1 uprising at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center's Building C has sued the state of Delaware in federal court for wrongful death, saying state officials failed to address simmering security concerns at the Smyrna facility for 16 years—concerns that boiled over in the takeover.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday morning in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware by the family of Lt. Steven Floyd Sr., as well as five other officers who survived the 18-hour siege.

In the 52-page complaint, attorneys from Jacobs & Crumplar and the Neuberger Firm traced the state's blame back to the administration of former Gov. Ruth Ann Minner in 2001, but also named as defendants former Gov. Jack Markell, three former commissioners of the Delaware Department of Correction, current Commissioner Perry Phelps and three directors of the Office of Management and Budget.

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