Dallas County Jail Inmate Terry Shaw Dies on Day 5
Sixty-six-year-old Terry Darren Shaw was booked into Dallas County Jail on June 4, 2025. A custodial death report (CDR) was filed by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office on July 1, 2025, indicating that Mr. Shaw died five days later. There are conflicting statements within the CDR about the issue of an autopsy. In the summary of how Mr. Shaw’s death occurred, it is clearly stated that no medical autopsy will be performed due to his history and condition. Under manner of death and medical cause of death, the response is “pending medical examiner’s results.”
During the intake process, per the CDR, Mr. Shaw exhibited signs of both mental health problems and medical problems. As to whether he made suicidal statements or appeared intoxicated on drugs or alcohol, the answer is “unknown.” Also, as to whether the decedent had been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused his death after his admission into the jail, the answer was “no.”
Other details in the summary of the report indicate that on June 7 at approximately 7:40 p.m., Mr. Shaw was discovered seizing and foaming from the mouth and was transported and admitted to Parkland Memorial Hospital (PMH). The next day, due to his unstable medical condition, Mr. Shaw was still hospitalized. PMH medical staff were conducting a medical evaluation of his previous medical conditions when they pronounced Terry Darren Shaw deceased at 6:17 p.m. on June 8, 2025.
The address of Dallas County Jail aka Lew Sterrett Justice Center is 111 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75207. Between its three facilities, the Dallas County Jail system’s total bed capacity is 7,100.
Jail Inspection Results Don’t Reflect the Tremendous Number of Complaints About Medical Care in Texas
Each year, TCJS reports that the number of complaints about healthcare in Texas jails is far greater than any other type of complaint. For example, in a 2024 annual report, there are 1,573 medical complaint allegations. Officer actions have the second most, at 722, and sanitation is third, at 563.
When county and municipal jails are inspected at least annually, they are cited if they are found violating minimum jail standards. It seems that with medical complaints at more than double the number in the next category and three times more than the next two complaint allegations, jail inspection results would show more violations related to medical issues. But that is not the case.
These statistics seem to beg the question of what may be missing in jail standards. The issue of failing to provide appropriate medical care isn’t captured or reflected in the violations that Texas jails are cited for.
It is true, however, that jails are somewhat frequently cited in regard to the proper distribution of prescription medications. After a May 13, 2025, jail inspection, for example, Lavaca County Jail was found in violation of minimum standards concerning medications. TCJS inspectors provided the following details:
- Documentation was missing that would verify that medication was administered in accordance with the written instructions of a physician. In total, 17 of 322 medications were missed during April 2025.
Need Help with a Jail Medical Neglect Case?
Studies show that nearly 70% of people in county and city jails who have chronic health conditions aren’t given the medical care they need—a deeply troubling fact. If you lost a family member due to medical neglect or other mistreatment in a local jail, the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. may be able to help. Our firm has extensive experience pursuing justice in jail neglect and in-custody death cases, including jail suicides.
We’re here to listen and discuss your options. Reach out anytime—day or night—by phone, text, or through our secure online form.
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