An inmate at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center died Sunday evening after suffering a “catastrophic medical event.”
Sammy Harris, 44, was being taken from one cell to another on a higher floor at about 6 p.m. when he collapsed halfway up the stairs, Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said.
“One minute he’s standing there talking and everything’s fine, and next minute he’s hitting the floor,” Hawkins said. “… It was just unusual.”
Officers at the detention center administered life-saving measures including CPR to Harris until the Columbus Fire Department and EMTs arrived, Hawkins said.
Harris was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle by paramedics where he died later that evening.
“From my understanding, they worked on him at the hospital for about an hour and just couldn’t revive him,” Hawkins said.
Harris had been in jail for 37 days awaiting trial for charges including felony possession of methamphetamine and two misdemeanor traffic violations, Hawkins said.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said the cause of death is believed to be natural causes as there was no evidence of injuries or trauma.
“There was no contraband or anything like that found on him, and we don’t suspect any foul play,” Hawkins said. “We think it was all natural causes. It was weird. … It was just his time.”
Hawkins believes the incident was a heart-related issue but was unsure of what the ultimate outcome of the investigation would be, he said.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations is handling the investigation into Harris’ death.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
