11:01am | A routine transport of a prisoner ended unexpectedly due to an unidentified illness last Thursday, August 4 2011. The prisoner was being transported by a Long Beach patrol officer to the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail where the prisoner was to be housed until his next court appearance.

During the transport, the prisoner was alert and communicating with the officer.   Once arriving at Men’s Central Jail, the prisoner became ill and was transported by the officer to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center, located less than two miles away.  Hospital staff assisted with removing the prisoner, whose condition had deteriorated, from the vehicle.  Although life-saving efforts were immediately initiated, an emergency room doctor pronounced the prisoner deceased shortly after arriving. 



Patrol officers arrested the prisoner without incident on August 2, 2011, and he remained in L.B.P.D. custody until his transport to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.  The prisoner’s identity and arrest charges will not be released until his family can be notified of his death. 



Anytime an individual dies while in LBPD custody, the department launches an in-custody death investigation.  The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office will conduct an independent investigation and determine the official cause of death.  At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication that force was involved.