On Sunday, a federal inmate in Santa Rosa County Jail tragically lost his life following what the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office (SRCSO) characterized as an incident involving the “use of force.”
As per a statement from the sheriff’s office, the inmate, under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, was detained at the Santa Rosa County Jail during the occurrence. The identity of the deceased individual is being withheld “out of respect and to maintain privacy for the family.”
Jillian Durkin, Public Information Officer for the SRCSO, conveyed to the Pensacola News Journal that the officer implicated in the incident had not been placed on administrative leave. As Durkin explained, this decision stems from the nature of the incident, which involved “normal use of force” rather than lethal force.
In a released statement, Durkin emphasized the profound impact of such incidents on the community, underscoring the commitment of the SRCSO to value the lives of all community members and those within their custody. The statement iterates that the ongoing investigation is a collaborative effort with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Durkin emphasized their full cooperation in the investigative process.
The SRCSO is appealing for patience from the public. Durkin acknowledged the challenging nature of such circumstances and assured that the agency is actively engaging in self-assessment and evaluation of current practices. This internal scrutiny is aimed at ensuring that the agency operates in the best interests of the community.
Source: https://www.al.com/news/2023/11/federal-prison-dies-in-use-of-force-incident-in-florida-panhandle-jail.html