A Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office supervisor recommended that several officers should receive an award after jail staff left a man in a mental health crisis handcuffed, face down, and dying in a cell.
ABC15 also discovered a Phoenix police officer involved in the death ended up leaving the force while under investigation for child abuse and was later arrested for human smuggling.
DEAD WRONG: ABC15 investigates Akeem Terrell’s in-custody death
The revelations add new layers to the disturbing death of Akeem Terrell, who died on Jan. 1, 2021. A leading jail expert said the death highlighted a stunning constellation of failures by MCSO and Phoenix, who collectively paid out a $4.8-million settlement.
RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD
After the death, a supervisor believed some officers deserved the “Medical Aide Award,” according to redacted employee performance records obtained by ABC15.
“The officers performed in the finest tradition of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office,” wrote a supervisor in an employee’s annual appraisal. “Their professionalism, dedication to duty and compassion to save a human life was displayed to the fullest.”