South Windsor Police Cleared Of Wrongdoing In Prisoner Suicide

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — A lengthy investigation into the death of a man in a holding cell at the South Windsor Police Department nearly a year ago has concluded the man died by suicide, and "there was no criminal action related to the cause of his death" on the part of police, according to a report issued by the Office of the Inspector General.

The investigation established the police department used reasonable force in taking Kevin Doherty into custody following a domestic violence call on Dec. 23, 2022. He was booked on several charges, including resisting arrest, and held in lieu of $250,000 bond pending a court date on Dec. 27.

After Doherty was booked, he was placed in a cell, and later was seen dry heaving over the toilet and his face was red. An officer asked if he wanted medical attention, and an ambulance took him to Rockville General Hospital, accompanied by an officer. Doherty made suicidal remarks to the hospital staff, who told police he would need to be seen by a crisis team, according to information provided in a 24-page report.

Shortly after noon on Dec. 26, Doherty was found lying under a bench in his cell, unresponsive and not breathing, with his legs sticking out between the cell bars. Police attempted resuscitative measures and an ambulance took him to Manchester Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigation revealed he had stuffed a pair of socks and a piece of his pajamas into his throat, according to the report.

An autopsy was performed Dec. 28 by Dr. Jacqueline Nunez in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which concluded Doherty's cause of death was "asphyxia due to upper airway obstruction by foreign body," according to the report.

In its final analysis, the report stated, "Officers used a minimal amount of physical force to take Doherty into custody during his arrest, which he resisted. Police officers applied no additional force against Doherty during the time he was in their custody. Doherty’s death was caused by his suicide and not due to any criminal action."

"That force had nothing to do with his death," the report concluded. "Accordingly, the Office of Inspector General will take no further action in this case."