One hospitalized after police incident in Graham

Graham Police Department and the Texas Rangers will be conducting an investigation after a subject in police custody was found unresponsive in the back of a police vehicle late Wednesday, June 3, according to a GPD release.

GPD Chief Brent Bullock stated in a press release that police officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Remington Street in Graham Wednesday night in reference to a domestic disturbance.

According to the dispatch log, officers were dispatched to the area at 11:14 p.m. The caller informed officers that the subject was her estranged husband and had assaulted her and forced entry into her home, according to the press release.

Officers were able to locate the subject’s white Chevrolet pickup traveling on Texas Street. Officers conducted a traffic stop in a parking lot in the 1200 block of Brazos Street. Two officers were on the scene of the domestic disturbance when the subject was located and also responded to the traffic stop. Bullock stated in the release that the subject was taken into custody and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.

“The subject was taken into custody without incident, and was restrained with two sets of handcuffs due to his size,” the release stated. “The subject exhibited no signs of distress, or signs that he wanted to self-harm. He was placed into the back of a patrol unit.”

The release stated that officers were exchanging information while the subject remained in the backseat of the vehicle. Only a few minutes had passed when the subject was found unresponsive in the back of the patrol vehicle.

“After a few minutes (no more than six) had passed, officers located the subject unresponsive in the backseat of the patrol unit. It appeared that he was able to wrap the backseat seatbelt around his neck,” Bullock stated in the release. “Officers immediately started CPR and called for medics. The subject was taken to the Graham Regional Medical Center by ambulance, and later air lifted to United Regional in Wichita Falls in critical condition.”

Bullock said in the release that the department has been in contact with the family.

The incident was captured on video which has been turned over to the Texas Ranger’s office while an internal investigation is conducted.

“This unfortunate incident was captured on video through our patrol units and from the body cameras that each officer was wearing,” the release stated. “Per our procedures, all of the body camera videos, and patrol vehicle videos were downloaded the night of the incident and stored for safekeeping by the administration of the police department. These will be turned over to the Texas Ranger’s Office for investigation. In accordance with department policy, our office will complete an internal investigation as well.”

As an internal investigation is conducted, Chief Bullock wants to ensure the community that his department will maintain the standards that the community expects.

“I ask that the people of our community, whom we strive to serve, know that we will continue to do our jobs with the highest degree of integrity and to the best of our ability,” Bullock said.

Names of subjects in this incident have not been released at this time. The Graham Leader will continue to follow this investigation.