Richard Metcalf Jr.
Richard Metcalf Jr., 35, of Depew, died on November 30, 2012, after being held at the Erie County Holding Center in Buffalo. His family, led by his father, Richard Metcalf Sr., says deputies restrained him face down with a spit mask and a pillowcase over his head, and the state Commission of Correction concluded in 2016 that the restraint asphyxiated him and that the deputies were poorly trained. According to the commission, ambulance medics were prevented from assessing him for several crucial minutes. The sheriff's office disputes the commission's findings and has said he died of a heart attack in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. In April 2024 a civil jury found the county and five deputies liable and awarded his family about $95 million; that award was later reduced to $20 million, and the county may still appeal.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The Erie County Sheriff's Office says he had a heart attack in an ambulance, but the state Commission of Correction found deputies asphyxiated him during restraint with a spit mask and pillowcase, and his family's civil suit says deputies beat him and denied him medical care; the county disputes the findings.
Reported by: Erie County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); New York State Commission of Correction (outside investigators); Erie County Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Dr. Dianne R. Vertes, former chief medical examiner for Erie County (medical examiner or coroner); his family's civil lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Erie County civil jury (court).
Lawsuit: His family sued Erie County and five jail deputies, and in 2024 a jury found them liable before the estate agreed to a reduced $20 million award, with the county still able to appeal.
Sources (12)
- Special Investigator to Look Further Into 2012 Holding Center Death
- A list of 34 Erie County inmates who have died since June 2005
- Civil trial nears in 2012 death of Erie County Holding Center inmate Richard Metcalf
- ‘A heavy situation': N.Y. EMT testifies in inmate death trial
- Former medical examiner reveals split from Erie County over a ruling on cause of death
- Former jail deputy takes stand in trial over death of inmate
- Erie County Sheriff's Office says file on inmate death that was presumed destroyed has been found
- N.Y. county, deputies ordered to pay $95M in inmate’s death, jury rules
- Erie County and jail deputies ordered to pay $95 million to father of deceased inmate, Richard Metcalf Jr.
- More Erie County jail inmates have died than previously reported.
- Award for family of man beaten to death at holding center dramatically lowered
- Metcalf estate agrees to lowered $20 million damage award for 2012 Holding Center death