Probe Launched Into Death Of Man In Wolcott Police Custody: State

WOLCOTT, CT — An investigation is underway into the June 3 death of a 51-year-old man while he was in the custody of the Wolcott Police Department.

The Office of Inspector General is conducting the investigation into Joseph Jackson’s death.

Wolcott police responded to an address on Dale Avenue on June 3 around 12:59 a.m., after receiving a report of a person “freaking out,” according to an inspector general press release.

“Police found Jackson outside the home in a highly agitated state,” the press release states. “He was moving around, yelling gibberish, rocking back and forth. He appeared to be under the influence of some sort of substance.”

Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene to take Jackson to a hospital.

Police put Jackson in handcuffs “for his safety and the safety of others,” and he resisted, according to the Office of Inspector General. When medical personnel arrived, Jackson was still agitated and they gave him an injection to calm him down, the release states.

Jackson went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance, while still at the scene, and medical personnel performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him, the inspector general’s office indicated, in the release.

Emergency crews continued CPR on the way to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, where additional life-saving measures were attempted. However, Jackson was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:32 a.m.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has performed an autopsy, but the cause and manner of Jackson’s death are still pending further studies.

The state released a portion of police body camera video from the encounter, which can be viewed HERE.