Paul Edwin Schmidt

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information ORIGINAL CDR Number: 21-1771-CJ Version Type: VERSION 7/28/2022 10:59 Report Date: Status: Submitted AM 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: JEFF Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: NEAL Reporter Name: Robby McCarver Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Paul Middle Name: Edwin Last Name: Schmidt Suffix: Date of Birth: 1/26/1966 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 55 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 5/19/2021 4:23 PM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 5/21/2021 4:04 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: Per medical examiner "Based on the case history and autopsy findings, it is my opinion that Paul Schmidt, a 55-year old white male, died as a result of COVID-19. The toxic effects of methamphetamine and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease contributed to his death." 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?: 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 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- 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 - holding 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: 5/19/2021 4:23 PM 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? Other Agencies Respond?: Yes Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- 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 Marijuana Under 2 Ounces 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 No 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 Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- standoff?: No arrested?: No 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 5-19-2021, Bowie County Deputies were called to a suspicious person in the area of Redwater, TX where they located Paul Edwin Schmidt. Schmidt and another male passenger were intoxicated and walking around the area causing citizen concern. Upon contact, it was apparent that Schmidt had been in a physical confrontation that resulted in both his eyes being bruised. According to Schmidt, the injuries were sustained a couple of days prior. He complained of no injuries this date and refused medical treatment at the scene. He was found to be in possession of marijuana and subsequently charged for POM U/2oz and booked into the Bi State Jail (5-19-21 @ 4:23pm). The following morning (5-20-2021), he was taken before a magistrate to have a bond set. He and several others were returned to a holding cell near the processing desk after their hearing. Schmidt collapsed on the floor shortly after he returned and medical personnel responded to find him slow to respond. He eventually became unresponsive and an ambulance was called as life saving efforts were taken. CPR was continued until Life Net personnel arrived and took over along with the Texarkana AR Fire Department. They were able to resuscitate Schmidt and he was transported to Wadley Medical Center where he was admitted and placed into ICU. Hospital staff informed us that Schmidt was positive for the presence of methamphetamine as well as Covid 19. We were contacted on 5-21-2021 and informed that Schmidt had coded and life saving efforts by the hospital were unsuccessful. TX Ranger Joshua Mason was contacted for outside investigation into the death of Paul Schmidt. Investigator Chris Allison responded to the hospital along with Justice of the Peace Nancy Talley. She ordered the autopsy and preparations were made to send Schmidt to the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas for forensic exam. Schmidt's sister was contacted and she was not aware of any medical conditions that would contribute to Schmidt's death. Review of in-house surveillance footage captured Schmidt's collapse in the holding cell. He can be seen sitting on the bench next to another inmate. He had no confrontation or physical contact with anyone prior to his collapse. Shortly after sitting, he leaned to one side and appeared to be in medical distress. He then slumped from the seat and fell to the floor, likely causing a contusion on his head. Another inmate assisted him yelled for medical staff They assisted him up although his movement looked labored. He sat on the bench again but quickly lost consciousness and collapsed again. He was removed from the room and CPR efforts began. Final autopsy findings indicated Schmidt had pre-existing medical condition (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) combined with the toxic effects of methamphetamine. His death was ruled accidental. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7