TEXARKANA, TEXAS – The Texas Rangers are investigating an in-custody death involving a prisoner at the Bi-State Jail on Saturday morning. Juan Cordova-Sanchez, 26 of Nash, Texas, was taken to Wadley Hospital after reportedly losing consciousness while in the jail.
Cordova-Sanchez flagged down a passing off duty Texarkana, Arkansas Police Officer, Tanner Freeman, at approximately 1:56am Saturday morning at the corner of Texas Boulevard and New Boston Road. When Freeman attempted to make contact with Cordova-Sanchez, he drove away from the scene. Freeman then fell in behind Cordova-Sanchez and activated his emergency lights and siren as he traveled south on Texas Boulevard. With the officer behind him, Cordova-Sanchez called the 911 operator and indicated that he may possibly be injured, but refused to provide any further information to the call taker.
As they continued south, Cordova-Sanchez pulled onto a sidewalk on Texas Boulevard and then entered the parking lot of Wadley Hospital, where he then turned around in the lot, striking another curb. He then pulled back out onto Texas Boulevard toward the Bi-State Justice Center. Texarkana, Texas Officers Sergeant Brad Thacker, along with Officers Jarrod Dean and Shawn Jacobs, arrived in the area and assisted as the pursuit came to an end in 100 block of Broad Street.
Officers Jacobs and Freeman removed Cordova-Sanchez from the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs. Officers then walked the suspect to the Bi-State Justice Center, where he was then taken to the jail without further incident. Texarkana, Texas officers met jail staff at the front doors of the jail and released the suspect into their custody. Texarkana, Texas Officers returned outside to the suspect vehicle and began the impound paperwork. At 2:40 AM, Texarkana, Texas Officers were notified the suspect was in cardiac arrest in the jail. LifeNet responded and transported Cordova-Sanchez to Wadley Hospital where he later died. The Texas Rangers were contacted to conduct an investigation into the death. An autopsy was ordered and results are pending.
