An afternoon call about a man reportedly harming himself in central Phoenix ended in tragedy Sunday, when 34-year-old Devin Alford died after being detained by police. Officers responded to the area near 44th Street and Thomas Road just after 4 p.m. for reports that a man was acting erratically and injuring himself. Police say they put him in handcuffs to keep him from further harming himself; he became unresponsive shortly after. Phoenix Fire transported him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
What Police Say Happened
Phoenix police told reporters they were called to the area near 44th Street and Thomas Road just after 4 p.m. Sunday, after initial reports of a man acting erratically and hurting himself, according to ABC15 Arizona. Officers say they handcuffed the man to prevent more self-harm. When he became unresponsive, they removed the cuffs and began life-saving efforts, and Phoenix Fire took him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
What Happens Next in the Investigation
Deaths that occur while a person is in custody are routed to the Office of the Medical Examiner and may require a forensic exam or autopsy and toxicology testing to determine cause and manner of death, according to the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner. Officials say those tests, along with the OME's final report, can take weeks, depending on the complexity of the case and whether additional testing is needed.
Past In-Custody Deaths Under the Microscope
In-custody deaths in Phoenix have already drawn public scrutiny and calls for transparency in recent years, with advocates pushing for quicker release of body-camera video and fuller explanations of investigative findings, as reported by Phoenix New Times. Local reporting has also documented other cases that prompted both administrative and criminal-level reviews, including a February 2023 in-custody death in east Phoenix that was investigated by multiple agencies, according to Arizona's Family. Community groups and advocates say those earlier incidents are part of why families and neighborhood organizations are watching the current probe closely while officials complete their review.
