Medina County Jail is located at 801 Avenue Y in Hondo, TX 78861. It was there, in a detox cell, that David Lee Tumey died at age 54 on February 13, 2022. The cause of death is unknown and awaiting results of the autopsy.

Smith County Jail Non-Compliant with Rule §273.5(b)

A special inspection of Smith County Jail dated February 18, 2022, shows that the facility was non-compliant with Rule §273.5(b). The rule requires a screening instrument to be filled out in its entirety on all inmates admitted into the jail.

An inspector with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) noted that the documentation was reviewed. It was discovered that on multiple occasions, jailers failed to complete the Screening Form for Suicide and Medical/Mental/Developmental Impairments.

Suicide and the Significance of Proper Intake Screening

In jail settings, the leading cause of death is suicide. In suicide prevention material for the State of Texas, it is acknowledged that the state recognizes inmate suicide prevention as a crucial issue. All jailers must be able to identify at-risk inmates and report the information to either the facility mental health authority or another qualified professional. Properly trained jailers play a significant role in helping to prevent suicides, partly because jailers must conduct intake screening to identify potentially suicidal inmates.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and this continuing series.

Making accusations of wrongdoing against persons and entities is never intended on this website. Each post is meant as a resource to provide helpful information benefiting inmates now or previously detained in a county jail in Texas.

–Guest Contributor