Inmate found dead after “confrontation” with jail deputies

UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m., With Coroner’s release of information.

See Original Story below.

REDDING — Shasta County Coroner’s Office has identified an inmate whose lifeless body was found inside a safety cell at Shasta County Jail in Redding yesterday morning, Thursday, Sept.12.

“The decedent was positively identified as 58-year-old, Teddy Woodrow Abbie, of Redding,” Shasta County Chief Deputy Coroner Lt. Randall reported early this evening.

“The decedent’s next-of-kin has been notified and a postmortem examination has been completed,” according to Randall; who said, “The cause of death is pending toxicology testing.”

Officials had previously reported Abbie had been placed into the safety cell after making suicidal statements to jail staff and being involved in a “confrontation” and becoming combative with correctional deputies and other jail staff members.

Redding Police Department has been assigned as the lead agency in this ongoing in-custody death investigation and they are being assisted by Shasta County District Attorney’s Office investigators and members of the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to immediately call Redding PD at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 19R059816 and can remain anonymous.

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Original Story: Inmate found dead after “confrontation” with jail deputies

REDDING — Authorities are conducting an in-custody death investigation after an inmate being housed at Shasta County Jail in Redding was found unresponsive inside a safety cell Thursday morning, Sept.12.

According to officials, the inmate had been placed into the safety cell after making suicidal statements to jail staff and being involved in a “confrontation” with correctional deputies.

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According to Redding Police Department Investigations Division Sgt. Brian Cole, the inmate – who has not yet been identified pending further investigation and notification of his family – “became combative with correctional deputies as they attempted to place him inside a safety cell for his protection … after (he) had made suicidal statements to employees.”

At 8:21 a.m. an official conducting a subsequent cell check found the man unresponsive in the safety cell, according to Cole.

Correctional deputies “began immediate lifesaving efforts” and medical staff within the facility were summoned and continued lifesaving efforts, the Sgt. explained.

Although jail officials summoned an ambulance and fire personnel to assist with medical aid, the inmate was later determined to be deceased.

Due to the nature of the ongoing investigation, Cole did not specify the charges the man was being held on, the manner in which he died, or what led to the confrontation before his death.

Based on the circumstances, sheriff’s officials initiated the department’s Critical Incident Protocol, requesting other law enforcement agencies assist with the investigation; at which time Redding Police Department was designated as the lead investigating agency. They are being assisted with their investigation by Shasta County District Attorney’s Office investigators and members of the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit.

During the ensuing investigation, “several dozen interviews were conducted with medical staff, inmates and correctional deputies,” according to Cole; who said the investigation and interviews continued throughout the day.

A postmortem exam has been scheduled and the investigation into the cause of the man’s death is pending those autopsy findings, according to Cole.

Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation is encouraged to immediately call Redding PD at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 19R059816 and can remain anonymous.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.