Michael Lowell Rodden

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 19-657-CJ Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 9/16/2019 2:29 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Bowie County 100 North State Agency Name: Agency Address: Sheriff's Office Line, BOX 18 Agency City: Texarkana Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 75501 Director Information Director Salutation: Sheriff Director First Name: JAMES Director Middle Name: W Director Last Name: PRINCE Reporter Name: Robby McCarver Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Michael Middle Name: Lowell Last Name: Rodden Suffix: Date of Birth: 3/25/1971 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 48 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 7/3/2019 10:22 PM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 7/6/2019 8:59 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: Suicide Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Per Medical Examiner Stephen M. Lenfest MD-"Based on the case history and autopsy findings, it is my opinion the Michael Lowell Rodden, a 48 year old male, died as a result of hanging" Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: No 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 Other Weapon, death?: specify: Other weapon, specify: ligature 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 Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? 100 N. State Line Street Address: City: Texarkana Avenue County: Bowie Zip: 75501 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: 7/3/2019 10:22 PM Where did the death occur? Law enforcement Death Location: facility/booking center General Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- 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: Bond Surrender POCS-PG1 O/1gr-U/4gr Offense 2: POCS PG1 O/1gr-U/4gr Offense 3: Fail to Identify-Fugitive 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; Other, specify Type of Offense, Other: Fail to Identify-Fugitive 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 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: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or No Make suicidal statements?: Yes drugs): Exhibit any mental health No Exhibit any medical problems?: No 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 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: On 7-6-2019, inmate Michael Rodden was discovered in his single occupancy cell within M Pod of the Bi State Jail located in Bowie County. He was last observed by jail staff at approximately 8:11am and later found by inmates at approximately 8:59am. Inmates within the day room of M Pod discovered Rodden hanging from a window within his cell and immediately notified jail personnel. Rodden had tied two socks together and created a ligature that he used to suspend himself from a bolt that was securing metal to the exterior window of his cell. Jail personnel removed the ligature from the bolt and lifesaving measures were attempted unsuccessfully. The scene was secured and the Bowie County Sheriff's Office responded along with Texas Ranger John Vance. Upon arrival, I recognized the decedent as the subject of a recent "Officer Safety" message that had been disseminated on July 3rd 2019. Rodden had been arrested by the Texarkana Texas Police Department on that date and subsequently booked into the Bi State Jail. Rodden intimated to the Texarkana TX Police Department that he would commit suicide by cop in future interactions with law enforcement. Those officers relayed that information to area law enforcement by EMAIL but neglected to inform jail staff during the book-in procedure. Rodden did not display nor communicate suicidal behavior Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- within the jail facility during processing. Justice of the Peace Nancy Talley responded to the scene and performed an inquest, requiring the autopsy of Michael Lowell Rodden. He was transported to the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas for medical examination. Those results are pending. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7