Full Notification

Jan. 31, 2023 — A man died Tuesday after suffering an apparent medical emergency in the Harris County Jail.
 
Kevin L. Smith, 23, was taken to the jail clinic, where he was seen by Harris Health medical staff, at approximately 10:40 a.m. He was then taken to the hospital by ambulance, and was pronounced deceased at the hospital at approximately 11:25 a.m.

Smith had no obvious physical injuries.
 
The Houston Police Department is investigating the death in accordance with state law that requires all jail deaths to be investigated by an outside law enforcement agency.
 
The Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs Division is also investigating to determine whether all applicable policies and procedures were followed, which is standard following the death of an inmate. The man’s cause of death will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
 
In addition, the death has been reported to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.