Third Macomb County Jail Suicide Prompts Action By Sheriff Wickersham

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — A pair of inmate suicides within the past week has prompted Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham to revise a long-followed well-being check protocol. Both deaths occurred by hanging, he said in a news release. A total of three suicides have been record in the Macomb County Jail this year.

“Due to the recent events, inmate checks and counts are being conducted every 30 minutes by Corrections Deputies which is above and beyond what is mandated by law,” Wickersham said. “We regret to inform our community that these events have occurred and we are doing everything we can to prevent future incidents.”

All three of the recent suicides are being investigated, he added. Macomb County had only one jail suicide since 2014 prior to this year. Wickersham said in the news release that suicide is the leading cause of death in local jails - some 34 percent since 2013.

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The most recent suicide in the Macomb County jail was Wednesday. Deputies say a 34-year-old white male committed suicide by hanging. He entered the jail on July 10 on charges out of Clinton Township, including Criminal Sexual Conduct II; and Roseville, Controlled Substance – Possession Greater Than 25 Grams.

On July 22, a white male, 49, also committed suicide by hanging. He entered the jail on July 13 on charges out of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, including Operating While Intoxicated III, Fail to Stop After Collision, and Operating While License Revoked/Denied.

The first suicide of 2017 was on May 6. A white female, 28, committed suicide by hanging. She entered the Macomb County Jail on March 31 on charges out of St. Clair Shores, including Solicitation of Murder, Tampering with Electronic Monitor Device, and Contempt of court.

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