Darrell J. Hocker
Darrell Hocker, 51, died on November 8, 2023, after a fight with his cellmate in a locked cell at the McDonough County Jail in Macomb, Illinois. He was taken to McDonough District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The sheriff's office and the coroner investigated the death, and a jury later found the cellmate guilty of his murder. His adult daughter has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the county, the sheriff and correctional officers, alleging that jail staff knew the cellmate was mentally ill and moved him out of isolation without a mental health evaluation, and that the defendants violated Hocker's rights by housing him with that man.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). A cellmate beat Hocker to death in the McDonough County jail, according to the court and jury that convicted him; his daughter's federal wrongful death suit alleges jail staff housed him with the cellmate without a required mental health evaluation, despite knowing the man was mentally ill and violent.
Reported by: McDonough County court and jury (court); Illinois State Police (outside investigators); McDonough County Coroner Eric Jameson (medical examiner or coroner); his daughter's federal wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Hocker's adult daughter filed a federal wrongful death suit against McDonough County, the sheriff, and correctional officers, and the reporting does not state any amount paid or awarded.
News reports (5)
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Death in Custody Reports (edition of 2026-07-28)
- Coroner identifies McDonough County inmate who died in altercation
- Inmate charged in death of cellmate at McDonough County Jail
- Daughter seeks damages in McDonough County jail beating death
- Smith sentenced to 50 years in McDonough County jail beating death