HIGHLAND – A 28-year-old man, in custody for alleged property damage, died early Wednesday after deputies used force to detain him.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials announced that Joseph Slater of Highland died at 1:17 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Deputies reportedly took Slater into custody on the 27700 block of Base Line Street.
According to reports released on Thursday, deputies were investigating a report that Slater was damaging property at a gas station. Additional reports stated he was acting strange.
When a deputy detained him, “Slater became uncooperative and refused to sit inside (the back seat of the patrol car),” according to reports. Slater continued to resist and push the deputy, even after pepper spray was used against him. Reports stated that Slater was “partially inside the squad car before he escaped.”
When the deputy tackled Slater, “force was used to overcome his resistance” said the Sheriff’s Dept. release, which did not specify if the suspect had been handcuffed.
Once inside the back seat of the squad car, “Slater experienced a significant medical emergency.” The statement did not elaborate. More deputies, along with paramedics arrived at the gas station. Life-saving measures were taken at the scene and Slater was taken to St. Bernardine Medical Center, but he was pronounced dead.
Neighboring Riverside County will conduct the autopsy on Slater, a typical condition for in-custody deaths and deputy-involved shootings. Sheriff’s Department detectives are investigating.
Less than a week earlier, a man who was taken into custody after a lengthy chase by car and horseback was also kicked and punched – an incident that was recorded. Ten deputies were placed on paid leave while internal and criminal investigations by both the Sheriff’s Dept. and the FBI are taking place.
Read More:
CrimeVoice: Suspect Arrested by Force After Fleeing by Car, Horse
