Ronald Pate
Ronald Erwin Pate, 35, was a tile setter who went to work every day, and his family describes him as a wonderful father, husband and nephew who was in good health before his detention. He died on June 23 or 24, 2025, after a medical emergency while held at the Harris County Jail, and the sheriff's office said he died at a hospital. His aunt, Jeana Pate, said he had no known medical conditions and was told he became agitated, was given medication, then had seizures and cardiac arrest, and the family's attorney, Randall Kallinen, is seeking jail surveillance video and medical records. Family members want to know whether he received the care he should have, and the cause of death had not been announced as of late June, with the manner listed as pending autopsy.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office has not released details of the medical emergency, and Ronald Pate's aunt and attorney Randall Kallinen say he had no known medical conditions and seek his medical records and an outside investigation into whether his care was adequate, with early indications linking his death to medication given when he became agitated.
Reported by: Harris County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); his aunt and family attorney Randall Kallinen (family or their lawyers).
News reports (7)
- Three Harris County Jail inmates die within 48-hour span, marking 10 in-custody deaths in 2025
- Attorney calls for changes into investigation of deaths of 3 Harris County jail inmates
- Family, friends speak out about loved one’s death in Harris County Jail
- Family, friends of Harris County Jail inmate Ronald Pate demand answers about his death
- Three Harris County Jail Inmates Die Within 48-Hour Span
- Custodial death report 25-528-CJ
- Jail Reform Advocates Scrutinize Jail Health Screening Process in the Wake of 12 In-Custody Deaths