James Andrew Degrate

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information ORIGINAL CDR Number: 24-1455-UF Version Type: VERSION 10/16/2024 11:40 Report Date: Status: Submitted AM Agency/Facility Information Texas Department Agency Name: Agency Address: PO BOX 4087 Of Public Safety Agency City: Austin Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 78773 Director Information Director Salutation: Director Director First Name: Steven Director Middle Name: C Director Last Name: McCraw Joanne Reporter Name: Reporter Email: [email protected] Scarbrough Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: James Middle Name: Andrew Last Name: Degrate Suffix: Date of Birth: 6/30/1985 Sex: Male Black or African Race: American Age At Time Of Death: 39 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 10/9/2024 7:30 AM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 10/9/2024 2:16 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) Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Manner of Death: Suicide Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Gunshot wound to the head 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 Handgun 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? Means of Death: Firearm Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: 503 W. Walker Ave City: Temple County: Bell Zip: 76501 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Roadway/highway/street/sidewalk What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use Type of Custody: of Force Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Custody of Law Enforcement Personnel during/fleeing arrest 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: Entry Date Time N/A: Where did the death occur? Death Location: Medical facility General Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? 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: Fleeing in a motor vehicle-SJF Offense 2: Parole Violation-Warrant Offense 3: Possession of Stolen Firearm Not filed at time of Were the Charges:: death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of Offense: Other, specify Type of Offense, Other: Speeding 91 mph in a 65 mph zone 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 Yes, mark all that weapons: apply Decedent Display or Use Discharged firearm Weapon Details: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Attempt to Injure Others?: No Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- 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 Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: Unknown problems?: 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 Yes standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No Yes 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: On October 9, 2024, at approximately 07:30 p.m., a DPS Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle. The Trooper contacted the driver, James Degrate. While speaking to Mr. Degrate, the Trooper detected the distinct odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. When the Trooper asked Mr. Degrate to exit the vehicle, he sped off. The Trooper pursued Mr. Degrate until he crashed into a parked vehicle. The Trooper drove his unit to the open driver-side door and commanded Mr. Degrate to exit. Mr. Degrate raised a gun to his head and shot himself. The Trooper called for emergency medical services and then began to treat Mr. Degrate. Mr. Degrate was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his self-inflicted gunshot wound. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 6