RAPID CITY, S.D. – A 43-year-old man from Wolsey died at a local hospital after he became unresponsive in the custody of Rapid City police officers and Pennington County Jail staff late Friday night. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has taken over the case for an independent review.
According to a police report, a Rapid City Police officer observed the man in the 1300 block of Mt. Rushmore Road at around 11:00 p.m. on September 19. The officer recognized the man as having active warrants for his arrest. When the officer attempted to make contact, the man ran.
Following a short foot pursuit, officers apprehended the man, who was combative. To ensure safety during transport, officers used a WRAP safety restraint system, a spit mask, and a padded helmet before taking him to the Pennington County Jail. The WRAP system is a temporary restraining device designed to immobilize a person’s body and restrict their ability to cause harm.
Upon arrival at the jail, the man was found to be unresponsive. Life-saving measures were initiated by emergency personnel, and he was transported to a hospital. The man was later pronounced dead. During his arrest, police found syringes and suspected illegal narcotics on his person.
Per protocol for in-custody deaths, the DCI was notified and is now leading the investigation. For further inquiries, contact the DCI at 605-773-6878.