BCA Identifies Man Who Died In Faribault Police Custody

FARIBAULT, MN — The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who Faribault police said lost consciousness while in an officer's squad car and died a short time later.

Jerrell Bryan Skelton, 36, of Faribault, died on Sept. 2 at the Allina Health Faribault Medical Center, according to the examiner.

The examiner is still waiting on toxicology results to determine Skelton’s cause and manner of death. "There were no apparent injuries," said the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating Skelton’s death at the request of the Faribault Police Department.

The BCA said the incident was captured on officer-worn body cameras and dash cameras. When complete, the agency will turn over its investigation without recommendation to the Rice County Attorney's Office for review.

The incident began shortly before noon Saturday when police tried to stop a suspected impaired driver at Division Street West and Fourth Street Northwest in Faribault, authorities said. The man did not stop, and instead proceeded at a slow speed, falling in and out of consciousness, according to law enforcement, leading police to intervene to end the chase and take him into custody.

An ambulance responded to the scene and medical personnel cleared the man for transportation by officers, authorities said, but en route to Rice County jail, he lost consciousness in the back of a squad car. An ambulance was again requested and officers provided Narcan and CPR, but the man was pronounced dead at Allina Health Faribault Medical Center, according to law enforcement.

"The Faribault Police Department is committed to an impartial and transparent investigation as we send our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased," Chief John Sherwin said in a news release.

"As this is an open case turned over to the Minnesota BCA for investigation, the Faribault Police Department will have no additional comment – including confirming and releasing the name of the deceased."

Reporting from Anna Schier, Patch Staff, was used in this story.