Tarrant County authorities are investigating the deaths of two 40-year-old men at the Tarrant County Jail, marking the second and third in-custody deaths at the facility this year.
James Johnson Died Monday
James Johnson, 40, experienced a medical emergency in his cell Monday and was transported to John Peter Smith (JPS) Hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that day, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.
Johnson’s cellmate alerted staff after noticing the medical emergency. Jail personnel and medical staff initiated life-saving measures before he was taken to the hospital.
The River Oaks Police Department had arrested Johnson on a charge of violating a bond or protective order. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail on Sunday. According to the sheriff’s office, he refused to cooperate or consent to a required medical screening during intake. Officials noted that jail personnel cannot force individuals to provide medical history or comply with evaluations.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death. As required by law, the incident is under review by multiple agencies, including the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, its Criminal Investigations Division, JPS medical staff, the Texas Attorney General’s Office, and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.
Second Man Died Tuesday
A second 40-year-old man died Tuesday after a medical emergency in his cell at the same facility. He was found kneeling next to his bed and unresponsive during a routine cell check by a detention officer, the sheriff’s office said. The officer entered the cell and observed the emergency; the man was transported to JPS Hospital and pronounced dead.
This man was arrested by Fort Worth Police on a charge of possession of marijuana less than two ounces and booked into the jail on Sunday. Like Johnson, he refused to cooperate or consent to the routine medical screening, according to officials.
The sheriff’s office stated that many individuals entering the facility have significant long-term health issues related to substance abuse or other medical conditions. While staff work to identify concerns during screening, they cannot compel inmates to follow medical guidance.
The man has not been publicly identified pending notification of next of kin. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine his cause and manner of death, and the incident is subject to the same multi-agency review process.
Third Death This Year at the Jail
The two deaths this week follow the death of John Barr, 36, on April 19. Barr was found unresponsive in his cell and died later that day at JPS Hospital.
The sheriff’s office has emphasized the challenges of managing inmates with complex health issues upon intake.
