Tragedy struck the Main Jail Facility in San Jose earlier this month when Jose Herrera, a 24-year-old inmate, was found unresponsive in his cell. According to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, deputies discovered Herrera at approximately 6:41 P.M. on July 5th. Despite immediate attempts at resuscitation, Herrera's condition failed to improve. He was promptly transported to the hospital by San Jose Fire and Emergency Medical Services, who arrived at the scene about 14 minutes later.
Arrested on the same day by the Sheriff's Deputies, Herrera faced charges for two counts of robbery, possession of a loaded firearm, and various other felonies, besides several outstanding warrants. Transported by emergency personnel, Herrera was taken to a local hospital following the deputies' attempt to save his life; their efforts, unfortunately, came up short. The cause of death was later determined as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy due to hanging by the Medical Examiner–Coroner’s Office, who ruled the death a suicide.
The Sheriff’s Office, dutifully following protocol for an in-custody death, investigated the District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner–Coroner’s Office. Herrera was initially alone in his cell during the onset of the incident and remained under hospital care until his death was pronounced last Wednesday at 2:31 P.M.
