Cecil Tamez

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 25-1079-CJ Version Type: AMENDED 12/31/2025 5:02 Report Date: Status: Submitted PM Agency/Facility Information Bell County Sheriff's Agency Name: Agency Address: 104 S. Main Office Agency City: Belton Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 76513 Director Information Director Salutation: Sheriff Director First Name: Bill Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Cooke Reporter Name: Erich Morsbach Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Cecil Middle Name: Last Name: Tamez Suffix: Jr. Date of Birth: 4/11/1990 Sex: Male Race: Hispanic or Latino Age At Time Of Death: 35 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 12/25/2025 11:08 Incident: PM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 12/28/2025 12:01 Death Date and Time: PM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Manner of Death: Suicide Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Hanging Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Not Applicable If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Decedent If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Not Applicable death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Hanging, Means of Death: strangulation Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: 2504 S Loop 121 City: Belton County: Bell Zip: 76513 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Law Enforcement Location Category: Facility What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Type of Custody: County Jail Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Jail - single cell What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: 6/4/2025 1:52 AM Where did the death occur? Death Location: Medical facility General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Other Agencies Respond?: Yes What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Murder PC 19.02(C) Offense 2: Poss CS PG 3<28g HSC 481.117(b) Offense 3: Criminal Trespass PC 30.05(a) Were the Charges:: Filed What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Violent Crime Against Persons; Type of Offense: Alcohol / drug offense; Crime Against Property At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of No weapons: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Attempt to Injure Others?: No At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or No Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health No Exhibit any medical problems?: No problems?: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No No standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No No including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: --- Leading up to the Incident --- At 16:44 Inmate Cecil Tamez Jr. was seen by the nurse and jail staff taking medications during medications pass. All regular thirty (30) minute face-to-face observation checks were conducted on time with no issues or concerns being noted. The last observation check conducted prior to this incident was conducted at 22:40. --- Incident and Incident Response At 23:06:54 Jailer Alexis Delavega entered- Cell 203 to conduct a routine thirty (30) minute observation check. At 23:07:33 Jailer Delavega passed Tamez's cell and noticed that Inmate Cecil Tamez Jr. had suspended himself using a sheet. Jailer Delavega immediately called for a "Medical Emergency." Jailer Arissa Erickson responded and opened the door to Inmate Tamez's cell. At 23:08:51, the sheet tied around Tamez’s neck is cut Jailer Erickson and he is placed on the ground to begin providing emergency care. At 23:10:38 Armor medical staff arrived on scene during which time Cpl. Rozana Gonzalez was in the process of calling 9-1-1. Jailers on scene advised Armor medical staff that Tamez had a "very faint" pulse, was purple in color, and was "not responding." Armor Nurse Practitioner Moody, then applied an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to Tamez. At 23:11:54 the AED began analyzing Tamez. The AED did not advise for shock so Moody, began Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). At 23:12:18 the AED was used to analyze Tamez again and Moody resumed CPR at 23:14:33. During this time Jailer Delavega provided assistance with an oxygen pump as instructed. At 23:16:50 the Belton Fire Department arrived on scene as the AED was again being used to analyze Tamez. Moody resumed CPR at 23:17:14 with the Fire Department taking over CPR and further assessment at 23:17:22. The Fire Department continued life saving measures until the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) arrived at 23:24:14. At 23:32:42 EMS and Fire Department personnel administered fluids to Tamez and he was placed on the gurney. At 23:37:22 a member of the Fire Department checked Tamez's pulse on his right arm and noted that Tamez had a "good pulse". At 23:41:08 Tamez was transported out of the Central Jail Facility and placed in an ambulance. At 23:44:03 Tamez was transported by ambulance to Baylor Scott and White hospital in Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Temple. Tamez was escorted in the ambulance by Jailer Delavega followed by Deputy Andrew Loew. Tamez remained on life support at Scott & White Hospital until it was determined by medical staff that he should be removed from life support. Tamez was pronounced deceased at 12:01 PM 12/28/2025 Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7