Deramus Lemuel
Deramus Lemuel, 38, is missed by his wife, children and mother, who say they are still grieving and hopeful that justice will come. He died in August 2018 while held at the El Paso County Jail in Colorado, after returning from a hospital visit. The El Paso County coroner's office ruled his death a homicide. His family's federal excessive force lawsuit, filed in June 2020, alleges the jail used force on him instead of providing medical treatment, while the sheriff's office said a hood placed over his face was a standard precaution and declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The El Paso County coroner ruled the death a homicide, while his family's federal excessive force lawsuit says jail staff used force on him instead of providing medical treatment; the sheriff's office said a hood placed over his face was a standard precaution.
Reported by: El Paso County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); his family's federal excessive force lawsuit (family or their lawyers); El Paso County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal excessive force lawsuit in June 2020 over his death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.