Death prompts investigations; sister seeks funds to pay for cremationBy Miriam Raftery
Photo: Richard Woodford with his sister, Brittney Lawley of San Carlos
July 2, 2024 (Santee) – Richard Woodford, 42, a 2020 Patrick Henry graduate who was reportedly homeless when arrested last week in Santee, died in the San Diego Central Jail a day later.
The Sheriff’s department says the death is being investigated by its homicide unit, as well as the county’s Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board. But an attorney suing the county over alleged lapses in care for persons in custody suggests that Woodford’s death may have been due to inadequate care during drug withdrawal.
Woodford was arrested June 25 for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, as well as intent to defraud. The next evening, around 5:54, other incarcerated persons notified deputies that Woodford had collapsed on the shower floor.
“Deputies suspected he was having a medical emergency and called for medical assistance,” says Lieutenant Michael Krugh. “The deputies placed Woodford into a wheelchair and started to transport him to the jail medical unit. Jail medical staff arrived at the housing area and began providing medical care to Woodford. Paramedics were called and responded, taking over immediate medical care... Woodford succumbed and unfortunately passed away despite all attempts to save him.”
An autopsy has been conducted, but the Medical Examiner has not yet announced the cause of death.
Gay Grunfeld, a lawyer who has sued San Diego County alleging lapses in care of men and women in custody, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Woodford’s death may have been preventable. “We are receiving reports that this person was in withdrawal prior to his death,” she said. “San Diego needs to make major changes in the way it screens incoming patients and observes and cares for those in withdrawal.”
Woodford was the sixth person to die in custody in San Diego County this year. Last year, there were 13 in-custody deaths, while 38 perished in the prior two years combined.
In 2019, a Union-Tribune investigation found San Diego jails had the highest rate of deaths of any major county in California. The media’s report prompted a state audit, which concluded conditions in local jails were so dangerous that legislative reforms were needed. Sheriff Bill Gore promptly retired, leaving his successor, Kelly Martinez, to implement numerous reforms ranging from increased training to making Narcan available in jails to reverse potentially deadly overdoses.
While the rate of jail deaths has dropped, advocates for prisoners and families of deceased prisoners contend that more should be done to save lives.
Woodford’s sister, Brittney Lawley, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her brother’s cremation and says has 30 days to claim his body after the Medical Examiner’s investigation and autopsy. She also hopes to hold a celebration of life.
“I really loved my brother and really looked up to him growing up,” she posted on Facebook. “It was such an honor to be Woody’s little sister,” she concluded, adding, “Drugs really suck.”