Hector Lopez Dies After Bexar County Jail Incarceration

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, in San Antonio, Texas, submitted a report regarding the death-in-custody of Hector Lopez. Mr. Lopez was only 40 years old at the time of his death. We provide in this post information we obtained from the submitted report, and we do not allege that anyone did anything wrong which resulted in Mr. Lopez’s death. Our Texas jail neglect law firm does not have sufficient information to make that determination.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On 3/31/2023, at approximately 1155 hours, a Code 1 (Medical Assistance needed) was initiated by Deputy Taylor, Spencer. Inmate Guerra, Raul #XXXXXX informed Deputy Taylor his cellmate, Lopez, Hector #XXXXXX, fell to the floor when he attempted to get off his bunk. All corridor personnel responded, and observed inmate Lopez breathing. Subsequently, inmate Lopez appeared to have stopped breathing, and Deputy Taylor immediately began chest compressions. The incident was upgraded to a Code 1 Blue (Medical Emergency), where several medical staff members responded, and took over life saving measures. SAFD arrived at approximately 1222 hours and transported inmate Lopez to Downtown Baptist. Inmate Lopez was pronounced deceased by Dr. D. Coleman at approximately 1302 hours.”

The report provides no detailed information about what led to Mr. Lopez’s fall, whether he was assigned a bottom bunk, or whether medical issues required that he be assigned a bottom bunk. 

Texas jails are required to protect those inmates in their care. This is required under the United States Constitution. The Constitution imposes an obligation on jailers and medical personnel working in jails, and those who run jails, to protect detainees. If they fail to protect a particular detainee, and the person dies as a result, then certain family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our law firm is handling a number of such cases in federal court across Texas.

Written By: Dean Malone

Dean Malone

Dean Malone is the founder of Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C., a jail neglect civil rights law firm. Mr. Malone earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, and from Baylor University School of Law with a general civil litigation concentration. Mr. Malone served in several staff positions for the Baylor Law Review, including executive editor. Mr. Malone is an experienced trial lawyer, trying a number of cases to jury verdict and also handling arbitrations through final hearing. He heads the jail neglect section of his law firm, in which lawyers litigate cases involving serious injury and death resulting from jail neglect and abuse. Lawyers frequently refer cases to Mr. Malone due to his focus on this very complicated civil rights practice area.