On January 25, 2025, at 10:18 AM, Daniel Pentkwoski was f found unresponsive in his single cell, cell CA26. Emergency measures were taken, but they failed. He was pronounced deceased at 10:34 AM by a member of the EMS.

Emmitt Earl Byrd Died After Incarceration in Bexar County Jail  

On April 21, 2022, Emmitt Earl Bird died at Bexar County Jail in San Antonio, Texas. He had been found by Officer K. Vazquez. Mr. Byrd was hanging from a sheet tied around his neck at 9:50 AM. The other end was tied around the interior of the hinge of the door. Code Blue One was called initially. 

Lifesaving measures began as soon as Mr. Vazquez cut Mr. Byrd down. Medical personnel continued lifesaving measures until Fire Department EMS arrived on the scene at 10:00 AM. He was pronounced deceased at 10:17 AM. 

During admission into the jail, Mr. Byrd made no suicidal statements. Yet he died on his fifth day. The suicide prevention training that jailers receive indicates that suicide occurs within the first month of being jailed. But suicide protocols exist only for the inmate who have indicated a tendency toward self-harm.

Per the Texas Administrative Code, each jailer is supposed to receive training on procedures for recognizing, supervising, handling, and documentation of potentially suicidal inmates.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and this continuing series.   

Suggesting that misdeeds have occurred on the part of persons or institutions is never intended on this website. The purpose of each post on this site is to provide helpful resources to inmates in Texas county and municipal jails.

–Guest Contributor