Manuel Edward Mendez

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 19-1280-C Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 1/3/2020 8:51 AM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Houston Police 1200 Travis, 16th Agency Name: Agency Address: Dept. Floor Agency City: Houston Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 77002 Director Information Director Salutation: Lieutenant Director First Name: Melissa Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Countryman Reporter Name: Kimberly Fowler Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Manuel Middle Name: Edward Last Name: Mendez Suffix: Date of Birth: 3/12/1979 Sex: Male Race: Hispanic or Latino Age At Time Of Death: 40 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 11/22/2019 3:16 Incident: AM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 11/26/2019 3:42 Death Date and Time: 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 are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Manner of Death: Accidental Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Complications of acute opiate toxicity. Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Unknown 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? Means of Death: Drug overdose Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- 1001 Pinemont Street Address: City: Houston Drive #12 County: Harris Zip: 77018 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Residence/Home What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Police Custody Type of Custody: (pre-booking) 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 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?: No 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: Possession of Controlled Substance (PCS) 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) Alcohol / drug Type of Offense: offense 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 Yes Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: Yes problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Barricade self or initiate No Resist being handcuffed or 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? Yes, mark which Under Restraint: restraint devices were used Type of restraint Type of Restraint: Handcuffs Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On Friday, November 22, 2019 at approximately 0316 hours, Officers with the North Patrol Division received a call from dispatch in regards to an Assault in Progress at 1001 Pinemont Dr. #12. Officers arrived and made several attempts to make contact with the occupants inside the apartment. After hearing knocking and loud noises coming from inside the apartment, officers obtained permission from a supervisor to enter the apartment. Once officers made entry, they found Complainant Manuel Mendez sitting on the master bedroom floor foaming at the mouth and thrashing around. Officers immediately notified dispatch to have Houston Fire Department ambulance make the scene due to Mr. Mendez being in an unknown medical distress. Before HFD arrived arrived on scene, officers located a small bag containing black tar heroin along with a spoon and syringe in the bathroom. HFD arrived on scene and transported Mr. Mendez to Memorial Herman Greater Heights Hospital located at 1635 North Loop West. Before leaving the scene, at the request of HFD personnel, Mr. Mendez was handcuff to the gurney to secure him during transport to the hospital. A short time later, HFD paramedics requested officers remove the handcuff in or to administer CPR to Mr. Mendez. Mr. Mendez was transported to Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital for medical treatment. Officers contacted Harris County District Attorney's Office-Intake Division, who accepted charges on Mr. Mendez for Possession of a Control Substance. On Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 1542 hours, Mr. Mendez, who was still being treated at Memorial Hermann Greater Height Hospital was pronounced deceased by Dr. Sadeghi. Preliminary cause of death was determined to be a drug overdose. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7