Irmo officers on leave after Broad River Road custody death
A man died days after being taken into custody by Irmo police Sunday. SLED is now leading an investigation into the circumstances.
IRMO, S.C. — Two Irmo officers are on administrative leave as state agents investigate a suspect’s death while in custody.
The Irmo Police Department announced on Friday that the situation began with a call to the New Friarsgate area on Sunday around 2 a.m. Officers were responding to a possible fight inside a vehicle, and when they arrived, the vehicle left the scene. Polic said a brief pursuit followed, but it soon ended near a Dollar General in the 7800 block of Broad River Road.
However, after the vehicle stopped, the driver, the sole occupant, got into a fight with the police. Irmo Police said the 45-year-old suspect was taken into custody but began having trouble breathing, which led to a call for emergency medical services.
The department said officers attempted CPR and other life-saving measures until emergency personnel arrived and took the man to the hospital. The police department said it called in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate on Monday because the man was in critical condition at the time. The department said he died on Wednesday.
Since then, the two officers have been placed on leave in accordance with department policy until SLED completes its independent investigation.
Chief Bobby Dale stated that his department is cooperating with the investigation and extended his condolences to the family of the deceased.
Our commitment is to transparency, accountability, and ensuring the public’s trust in our department remains strong,” Dale said.
