Bobby Ray Patton Jr.
Bobby Ray Patton Jr., 46, died on December 28, 2024, while held at the Vista Detention Facility in San Diego County. Sources describe days of flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath and chest pain, and say that on the morning he died he repeatedly told deputies he could not breathe while two deputies failed to respond during safety checks. A Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board report found that the two deputies acted with criminal negligence, and the matter was referred to the District Attorney. The Sheriff's Office said the medical examiner ruled the death an accident related to health complications and that its investigation found no criminal conduct, and the medical examiner cited acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicating influenza A.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death an accident from bronchopneumonia complicating influenza, while the county's Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board found that two deputies were criminally negligent for not responding to his breathing distress, and the sheriff's office found no criminal conduct.
Reported by: San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); San Diego County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (outside investigators).
News reports (4)
- Advocates demand transparency after another death at San Diego County jail
- ‘Please help me’ were his last words, uttered in a jail cell and ignored by a deputy. He died hours later. - San Diego Union-Tribune
- Sheriff’s deputies committed crimes before man died in Vista jail, oversight board finds in unprecedented ruling - San Diego Union-Tribune
- Report finds criminal negligence by deputies in 2024 Vista Jail death