On August 13, 2020, at approximately 4:48 p.m., a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy, conducting physical rounds, discovered an inmate attempting suicide in his cell. The deputy immediately performed live saving measures until medical staff arrived a short time later.
Sedgwick County Detention Facility Medical staff arrived on scene and determined the inmate was in need of immediate critical care. Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the detention facility and transported the inmate to Via Christi St. Francis Hospital.
The inmate, a 39 year old white male, has been placed on life support by the hospital staff. Based on medical advice, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office contacted the inmate’s family and made accommodations for them to visit the inmate.
He was booked into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility approximately one month ago on felony charges and a State Parole hold.
Since January 2017, there have been 203 attempted suicides in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all inmates. The Sedgwick County Sherriff’s Office detention staff receive training in many aspects of inmate safety, including preventing inmate suicide. The detention staff all receive training during their initial academy and followed up by annual in-service training.