Minnesota BCA Investigating Death of Olmsted County Jail Detainee
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities are investigating the death of a detainee at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center.
Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson says a detention deputy was conducting routine wellbeing checks around 5 a.m. Monday when they noticed a detainee was not breathing. The deputy called for backup and began resuscitation efforts but the detainee was pronounced dead at the scene. Mayo Clinic Ambulance also responded to jail to assist in efforts to revive the detainee.
Torgerson identified the detainee as 59-year-old Russell Simon Jr. of Rochester. Simon was in custody at the jail for a felony assault charge in Olmsted County and a Minnesota Department of Corrections hold.
The Minnesota BCA is now leading the investigation and Simon’s body has been sent to the Southern Minnesota Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Torgerson said the sheriff’s office is sending its condolences to Simon’s family and friends.
The sheriff’s office is also supporting staff in accordance with its normal procedures. No deputies are on paid administrative leave at this time, Torgerson said.
