Jarrod Tolbert
Jarrod Tolbert, 45, died on July 21, 2025, while held at the Polunsky Unit prison in Polk County, Texas. According to a probable cause affidavit reported by KTRE and The Independent, he was stabbed during a physical altercation with other people held there early that morning. The affidavit alleges that a corrections officer was told of the stabbing at 6:02 a.m. but did not provide medical aid or call for help, and that Tolbert was found unresponsive in his cell at 9:44 a.m. and pronounced dead that evening. The officer, Ty Wilkerson, was charged with violating the civil rights of a person in custody, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). A probable cause affidavit says other incarcerated people stabbed him, and it alleges a corrections officer was told of the stabbing at 6:02 a.m. but did not provide medical aid or call for help before he was found unresponsive at 9:44 a.m.
Reported by: probable cause affidavit; KTRE (reporters).