Updated

A former California fire battalion chief has been sentenced to 16 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of his girlfriend.

A judge in Sacramento ordered the mandatory 15 years to life in prison on Friday for Orville Fleming and added one year for aggravated use of a knife in the death of 26-year-old Sarah June Douglas.

The 57-year-old Fleming was charged with murder in 2014 after Douglas was found dead in their south Sacramento home.

Defense attorney Peter Kmeto says Fleming killed Douglas in an act of passion during a fight. A jury agreed last month.

Fleming's arrest triggered a months-long investigation into the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's training academy that led to firings and demotions.