UPDATED AT 8:22 P.M. JUNE 7, 2020 TO INCLUDE COMMENTS FROM COOSADA POLICE CHIEF LEON SMITH
BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
The Body of an Elmore County prisoner identified as Jordan Davis, a white male 39 years-old, of Slapout has been taken to the Alabama Department of Forensics Science after he was found unresponsive in his cell this morning, during breakfast rounds.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin told the Elmore/Autauga News that Davis was originally arrested by the Coosada Police Department Saturday night, who listed the charge as Driving Under the Influence. Davis was booked into the Elmore County Jail without incident around 10:30 p.m. Franklin said, and was alone in his cell.
“We understand he was arrested with no incidents, or problems, and transported to the jail,” Franklin said. “When he arrived, there were no issues. He was reportedly calm. He asked for water, and was given some. Overnight he was checked on. But at around 6 a.m. this morning when staff started feeding prisoners they found him propped against a wall and appeared to be sleeping. When they tried to wake him up, he (Davis) was unresponsive. Medical personnel were called but he was pronounced dead.”
Franklin said the cause of death is unknown at this time. The sheriff contacted an outside agency to assist in the investigation, that being the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office.
“Sadly, when you are dealing with 200 to 300 prisoners on any given day, this can happen. We have turned over all video and records to investigators with Chilton County and are cooperating fully,” Sheriff Franklin said, adding that he is not aware of any issues relating to medical problems with Davis.
“Our Chief Investigator has notified family members, and now we have to wait on a cause of death from Forensics investigators,” Franklin said.
Coosada Police Chief Leon Smith said the original call for service stemmed from a one-vehicle accident on Coosada Parkway, just north of Upper Gipson Town Road.
He said when his officers arrived, they located Jordan Davis attempting to flag vehicles down, apparently for assistance. His vehicle was located in a ditch.
“Mr. Davis refused medical treatment at the scene,” Chief Smith said. “As the officer interacted with Mr. Davis, he noticed slurred speech and stumbling. A field sobriety test was given, and Mr. Davis was charged with DUI (unknown substance.)”
