Jose Galarza Dies in the Custody of the Dallas County Jail on 8/13/24
Fifty-one-year-old Jose Guadalupe Galarza went through Dallas County Jail intake on March 21, 2024. Mr. Galarza died in the jail’s custody on August 13, 2024. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) on August 22, 2024. Although the results of an autopsy are still pending, the CDR shows that Mr. Galarza’s cause of death was heart failure. In the summary of how Mr. Galarza’s death occurred, the CDR shows that on the day of his death, he was transported by ambulance and admitted to Parkland Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. At 6:53 PM Dr. Dale Butler pronounced Mr. Galarza deceased, and he made the determination about the cause.
Located at 111 West Commerce St. in Dallas, TX, the Dallas County Jail is also known as the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. Between the North Tower Detention Facility, the West Tower Detention Facility, and the Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility, Dallas County Jail can house approximately 7,100 detainees.
How Might Violations of Minimum Jail Standards Reflect on the Care of Inmates at Dallas County Jail?
In recent years, Dallas has been cited by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) on four occasions. Each provides information that may reveal lax standards toward the care of inmate, in violation of minimum standards.
For example, following a jail inspection conducted on September 6, 2022, a TCJS inspector left the following note:
- A review of video submitted after custodial death revealed that observation rounds were not conducted in accordance with minimum jail standards.
This violation is in the category of inmate supervision. It is widely recognized that failing to supervise inmates according to minimum jail standards puts inmates at risk for suicide, untended medical emergencies, and inmate-on-inmate violence.
On October 18, 2018, there was a special jail inspection that was also a follow-up to a custodial death. Inspectors state that the 30-minute face-to-face observations of the inmate in question had not occurred.
How Might an Inmate’s Death at Dallas County Jail Suggest Possible Neglect?
On January 18, 2018, a 23-year-old detainee at Dallas County Jail died from “Septic complications of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infection.” Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can be averted almost 100% of the time with proper monitoring of infection. In most cases, people who receive antibiotics in a timely manner recover instead of going into septic shock or experiencing other septic complications that result in death.
Legal Support for Jail Medical Neglect from the Law Offices of Dean Malone
If you believe a loved one died due to neglect or abuse while in a Texas jail, obtaining skilled legal representation is essential. The Law Offices of Dean Malone are committed to asserting the rights of inmates and their families, with a focus on cases involving deaths in jail, including custodial suicides. Our experienced team is well-versed in handling these sensitive matters. Moreover, if you are a former inmate who suffered mistreatment, neglect, or inadequate medical care leading to severe injuries, we may be able to help. Reach out to us for a free case evaluation—our team is available around the clock by phone, text, or through our online form.
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