Jose Luis Garza, 28

Donna, Texas
February 19, 2016

Agencies: Donna Police Department - Texas

Cause of death: Not Yet Known

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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

For the second time in a span of five days a Donna man has died while in the custody of Donna police.

Jose Luis Garza was found hanged in his cell Friday morning, less than an hour after a cell check at 8:10 a.m. showed he was alive and well, Donna Police officials said in a news release.

Donna Police said after finding Garza, Capt. Ric Suarez attempted to save him and performed CPR on him before he was transported to Knapp Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the 28-year-old Donna man was taken into custody at about 6 a.m. Friday after Donna police officers responded to a family disturbance call.

Shortly after, Garza was arrested and booked into the jail at about 6 a.m. — less than three hours later Garza was dead after police say he hanged himself inside the cell.

Officials with Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1, Gilberto Saenz’s office said Garza was pronounced dead at 9:12 a.m.

Donna Police Chief Ruben De Leon declined additional comment and would not expand on the details of how and with what Garza hanged himself.

At about noon, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Sgt. Juan “Johnny” Hernandez confirmed Rangers were investigating the death of a man who died while in custody of Donna police.

Friday evening, Garza’s family declined comment as they were still processing the news of Garza’s death.

The incident Friday marks the second time a man has died while under the care of Donna police officers this week.

Legal Action

In January 2018, the family of Garza appealed the dismissal of their lawsuit against the city over the in-custody death citing poor treatment of prisoners in custody..