KSP investigating death of Madison County inmate after altercation with officers

RICHMOND, Ky. (WKYT) - Kentucky State Police are investigating the death of a former inmate after an altercation with officers at the Madison County Detention Center.

In a statement to WKYT, Madison County Jailer Larry Brock said Dion Watts was released from the detention center on January 2.

Watts exited the sally port and encountered officers with the Richmond Police Department. Brock says Watts appeared to be in a heightened state of paranoia and made statements suggesting he believed the officers intended to harm him.

According to Brock, Watts then re-entered the sally port and physically secured the exit door, preventing access in or out of the area. He says detention center staff made several attempts to de-escalate the situation, but Mr. Watts did not comply.

Brock told WKYT that a use-of-force incident involving detention center personnel and responding law enforcement officers then occurred.

Following the altercation, Watts was taken into custody by the Richmond Police Department and taken to the hospital for evaluation.

The NAACP Richmond-Madison County Branch told WKYT Watts was “severely beaten” while in the custody of the Madison County Detention Center, and had a documented history of mental illness.

“The circumstances surrounding his treatment while in custody raise profound questions about detainee safety, mental health response protocols, and civil rights protections within the detention system,” said the NAACP.

WKYT asked Jailer Brock about the NAACP’s claims. Brock said an internal review of the incident was underway, and there was “no evidence to suggest that Mr. Watts was beaten or subjected to any form of abuse during the incident.”

Court documents show Watts was charged with assault of a police officer or probation officer and resisting arrest after the incident.

Watts’ arrest citation includes more details about the altercation. It says the incident happened just after midnight.

In the citation, the arresting officer says they were leaving the Madison County Detention Center when Deputy Jailer Deanna Pingleton said Watts needed to speak with them. The Richmond Police officer is only identified as R. Haddix on the citation.

Officer Haddix says they told Watts they’d be back to speak with him after grabbing some items from their cruiser.

The detention center staff released the lock on the door for Officer Haddix to enter the sally port. Officer Haddix says that as they opened the door, Watts began to yell and slammed the door shut. Detention center staff then opened another door for Officer Haddix to exit through.

As that door was opening, Officer Haddix said they saw Watts in a physical altercation with Deputy Jailer Mark Murphy and Deputy Jailer Pingleton. Before Officer Haddix was able to assist, they said Deputy Jailer Murphy took Watts to the ground.

Once Murphy and Watts were on the ground, Officer Haddix says they assisted Murphy in gaining control of Watts, who was “physically resisting” them both.

During the altercation, Officer Haddix says Watts attempted to grab “several items” off their duty vest and “continued to pull his arms away,” trying to tuck them underneath his body.

According to the citation, Officer Haddix performed “several knee strikes” to Watts’ back and palm heel strikes to his face “in an attempt to gain control.”

Officer Haddix said that after a short period of time, several other officers arrived and assisted in handcuffing and controlling Watts.

Court records show Officer Haddix, Deputy Jailer Murphy, and Watts sustained injuries in the altercation. It says Officer Haddix had a cut to their left hand ring finger, Murphy had a laceration to his right hand, and Watts had a broken right ankle.

Watts’ citation says he was evaluated at the scene by Madison County EMS and was taken to UK Hospital to receive medical treatment for his broken ankle and “other medical reasons.”

The Madison County Coroner has not yet released Watts’ cause of death.

Friday, Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe said Kentucky State Police are conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances and events surrounding Watts’ death.

“Our community mourns the loss of a family member and friend,” said Mayor Blythe. “Any action taken by the city will be guided by the findings of the investigation.”

WKYT reached out to Richmond Police for comment about Watts’ death. Chief Rodney Richardson said the department has no further comment, as they are waiting for KSP’s investigation to be complete.