September 13, 2021
By News Director Jared Atha
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating an in-custody death that occurred August 31 in Clinton. The Clinton Police Department requested a full OSBI investigation after the death of 37-year-old Butch Thomas Herndon.
In a statement from the OSBI, just after noon on August 31, Clinton police officers arrested Herndon in the 1200 block of Modelle Avenue in Clinton for public intoxication. Herndon was taken to the Clinton City Jail and placed in a cell by himself. A few minutes later when staff checked on him, Herndon was found unconscious in the cell. EMS was called and transported Herndon to Alliance Health Hospital in Clinton where he died.
Clinton Police Chief Paul Rinkel released an official statement regarding the death on Saturday saying, in part:
“Clinton Police Department received multiple calls in reference to a subject that was ‘acting strange’ and was trying to enter occupied vehicles in the parking lot of a convenience store located at 10th and Modelle.
The subject was being followed by witnesses and officers located the subject in the 1200 block of Modelle as he was attempting to enter a locked car in a driveway.
The subject appeared to be intoxicated and was placed into custody without incident. A short time later, the subject attempted to kick out the windows of a patrol car and became out of control.
The subject was restrained, but no other force was used or required.
Medical and fire personnel were dispatched to the scene, but the subject refused to allow them to examine him. He was transported to the Clinton City Jail and placed on 15-minutes checks.
A short time later, he was found to be unresponsive and officers immediately began to render aid.
He was transported to Alliance-Health Clinton where he passed away.”
Chief Rinkel said in the statement that it is routine to contact the OSBI in situations like this one.
The OSBI said that the Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.
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