Archer County Inmate Kimberly Keene Dies in a Detox Cell
In-Custody Death Reported at Archer County Jail
A woman identified as Kimberly Keene died while in custody at the Archer County Jail following an apparent medical emergency, according to official records.
The Archer County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) on December 17, 2025. Kimberly Ann Keene, 64, was booked into Archer County Jail on November 17, 2025, at 2:50 p.m. Tragically, Ms. Keene was pronounced deceased about 17 hours later.
The following information is conveyed in the CDR’s summary of how Ms. Keen’s death occurred:
On November 17, 2025, at approximately 2:33 p.m., deputies with the Archer County Sheriff’s Office transported Ms. Keene to the jail. Prior to her booking, she had been evaluated and medically cleared at Seymour Hospital, and discharge documentation accompanied her to the facility. After intake, Ms. Keene was placed in Holding Cell 117.
Jail records indicate that Ms. Keene disclosed a history of heavy drug use and appeared to be experiencing symptoms consistent with withdrawal. During the evening and overnight hours, she was observed rolling on the floor of her cell. The required observation checks were conducted, and she was provided with an evening meal.
On the morning of November 18, a jail captain observed Ms. Keene at approximately 7:18 a.m., noting that she appeared to be asleep and that her chest showed signs of movement. Roughly twelve minutes later, at 7:30 a.m., another jail employee reported that Ms. Keene no longer appeared to be breathing. The jail captain who made the prior observation entered the cell to assess her condition.
Medical assistance was immediately requested, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated by jail staff. Despite these efforts, Kimberly Keene was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:55 a.m. on November 18.
Following her death, the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Rangers Division was notified and responded to the facility. An internal review was assigned to a captain with the Archer County Sheriff’s Office, while a Texas Ranger was designated to conduct an independent investigation. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards was also notified shortly after Ms. Keene’s death, in accordance with state requirements.
As with all deaths occurring in custody, investigations are expected to review medical care, monitoring practices, and compliance with applicable jail standards to determine whether appropriate procedures were followed.
Special jail inspections are standard follow-ups to custodial deaths. Archer County Jail was last inspected just three months ago. At that time, the jail allegedly violated a classification review rule, a repeat violation from a March 2021 inspection. In 2024, a TCJS inspector found that the TCOLE licensing of some of the Archer County Jail staff had lapsed.
It frequently happens that during special jail inspections instigated by an inmate death, it is discovered that county jails failed to provide supervision as required by minimum jail standards. The following are examples:
- Moore County Jail was cited for failing to properly monitor an inmate who had been placed in a detox or holding cell. A TCJS inspector found that the inmate was not observed multiple times over several hours before his death.
- Similar findings were reported following special jail inspections instigated by inmate deaths at the Llano County Jail in July 2023 and at the Ector County Jail in May 2023.
Archer County Jail and Sheriff’s Office is at 100 Law Enforcement Way, Archer City, Texas 76351. The jail has a 54-bed capacity.
Moore County Jail is at 700 S Bliss Ave, Dumas, Texas 79029. The jail’s bed capacity is 62. The address of the Ector County Detention Center, also known as the Ector County Jail, is 2500 US-385, Odessa, Texas 79766. The inmate capacity at the Odessa jail is 667. The address of the Llano County Jail is 752 Andy Taylor Dr, Llano, Texas 78643.
Seeking Accountability After Possible Jail Neglect or Abuse?
Incarceration does not strip individuals of their constitutional protections. County and municipal jails are legally required to provide reasonable medical care and safe living conditions to those in their custody. When jail staff fail to respond to serious medical needs or allow dangerous conditions to continue, the consequences can be severe—and in some cases, fatal. Such failures may warrant legal accountability.
If you believe a family member’s death in custody was connected to medical neglect, unsafe conditions, or mistreatment by jail personnel, the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. may be able to help. Our firm focuses on custodial death cases, working to uncover what occurred, evaluate whether legal standards were violated, and pursue justice for grieving families.
You can reach us 24 hours a day, seven days a week to request a confidential case review. Contact us today by phone, text message, or through our secure online contact form
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