James Arthur Stevens

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 26-825-PF Report Date: Version Type: 10/19/2026 4:15 PM ORIGINAL VERSION Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Agency Name: Bell County Sheriff's Office Agency City: Belton Agency Address: 104 S. Main 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 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: James Middle Name: Arthur Last Name: Stevens Suffix: Jr Date of Birth: 1/11/1962 Race: Sex: Male Black or African American Age At Time Of Death: 64 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 9/16/2026 10:38 Incident: AM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 10/18/2026 11:20 AM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results Evaluation?: pending What was the manner of death? (select only one) Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Manner of Death: Pending autopsy results Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Apparent natural causes, pending autopsy Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Yes If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Not applicable 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? Pre existing medical Pre-existing medical condition?: condition If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Not applicable, cause of death was Means of Death: illness/natural cause Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: 2401 S. 31st St. County: Bell City: Temple Zip: 76508 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Other, specify Other Location Category: Baylor Scott & White Hospital What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Type of Custody: Private Facility Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Hospital/Infirmary 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 Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- General Information 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: TRC 550.021(c)(1)(A) / Collision Involving Death Offense 2: Offense 3: Were the Charges:: Filed What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of Offense: Violent Crime Against Persons 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: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK --- Appear intoxicated (alcohol or No drugs): Exhibit any mental health No problems?: Make suicidal statements?: No Exhibit any medical problems?: Yes At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate No standoff?: Resist being handcuffed or No arrested?: Physically attempt/assault No officer(s): Gain possession of officer's No weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) No including law: Escape or attempt to No 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: While housed in the Bell County Jail Infirmary, on October 10th, 2026, at approximately10:18PM Inmate James Stevens complained that his internal defibrillator was firing and causing him pain. While being assessed by medical staff, Inmate Stevens noted that his internal defibrillator had fired approximately seven (7) times. Inmate Stevens was subsequently sent out to Baylor Scott and White Hospital, via EMS, for evaluation and further medical treatment. On October 18th, while at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple Texas, it was determined that Inmate Stevens contracted Pneumonia and was subsequently placed on hospice care. At approximately 1120AM, the on-scene Deputy noted that Inmate Stevens had stopped breathing and notified medical staff. Scott & White Medical Staff responded and checked his pulse. Medical Staff confirmed that Inmate Stevens has ceased breathing and he was pronounced deceased. The Bell County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division was immediately notified and responded alongside the Texas Rangers. An autopsy was ordered and is pending. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 6 --- PAGE BREAK ---