Bexar County Jail Inmate Emmitt Earl Byrd Commits Suicide on 4/21/22

Emmitt Earl Byrd is another Bexar County Jail inmate who took his own life while incarcerated this year. When Mr. Byrd, age 44, was booked into the jail on April 17, 2022, the intake officer indicated that he did not make suicidal statements or exhibit mental health problems. He was housed in a single cell, and that is where he was discovered hanging from his neck by a sheet on the date of his death, which was April 21, 2022. The other end of the sheet was secured to an interior hinge on the cell door.

The deputy who discovered Mr. Byrd initiated a Code One Blue aka medical emergency. A rescue cutting tool was used by the staff to cut the sheet and lower Mr. Byrd to the floor. Lifesaving measures began immediately and were continued by the EMS personnel with the San Antonio Fire Department. Mr. Byrd was pronounced deceased inside the Bexar County Jail by Dr. McClure.

Timing is an important element as regards custodial suicides. Most inmate suicides occur between days 2 and 14 and the second most occur within the first 24 hours, research shows.

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, and this ongoing series.

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