Farmersville Police Department News Release
Case #: 20-0525
Date: 06-24-2020
Incident: In-Custody Death
Occurred: Kaweah Delta Medical Center
Suspect(s): Manuel Garcia (DOB: 9-20-76) Farmersville Resident
On June 24, 2020 at about 1633 hours officers of the Farmersville Police Department were dispatched to the 900 block of West Anissa Street regarding a disturbance. It was reported by occupants that an adult male who lives at the residence appeared to be under the influence and was pounding on doors and windows attempting to gain entry. It should be noted that Officers responded to the same location the previous evening where the subject had been arrested under similar circumstances for disturbing the peace and interfering/delaying law enforcement. Upon arriving at the location officers found the subject in the backyard where they noted that he was displaying symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. The subject was detained and placed into handcuffs without incident. The subject was then placed into a patrol vehicle and transported to the Tulare County Adult Pretrial Facility.
Once at the Pretrial Facility a blood draw was taken as a part of the under the influence investigation. Medical staff at the Pretrial Facility conducted a pre-booking evaluation of the subject and then requested that he be medically cleared by hospital staff prior to booking. The officer then transported the subject directly to Kaweah Delta Medical Center for evaluation by hospital staff. Upon arrival at the hospital the subject became unresponsive. The officer immediately pulled the subject from the patrol vehicle and began life saving measures. At the same time the officer summoned nearby paramedics who assisted. The subject was quickly moved into the Emergency Room where he was revived by medical staff. A short time later, while in the emergency room under the care of medical personnel the subject lost consciousness again and it was reported that they were unable to revive him.
The Farmersville Police Department requested the assistance of the Visalia Police Department in investigating the in-custody death as well as an administrative investigation to determine that all policy and procedure were followed in the course of the incident. The Tulare County Sheriff/Corner was also summoned to assist with the coroner’s portion of death investigation. An autopsy has been scheduled and toxicology tests have been requested and are pending. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information in this case is encouraged to contact Sergeant Celest Sanchez with the Visalia Police Department at 559-734-8116 or Lt. Jay Brock of the Farmersville Police Department at (559) 747-0321.
No further information is available at this time.