![\"Commissioner](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1200.jpeg\" "\\"Commissioner")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Commissioner Alisa Simmons held a press conference Tuesday evening at the Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse in Arlington to ask for answers and an investigation into the death of Victor Runnels, who died on June 25, as his niece, Victoria Rogers, left, and sister, Vickie Rogers, right, joined her.<\/p>\n
Kamal Morgan<\/p>\n
A family is looking for answers after they claim their family member is the 80th person to have died in Tarrant County Jail since Sheriff Bill Waybourn was elected in 2017.<\/p>\n
Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons held a press conference with the family of Victor Runnels on Tuesday evening at Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse in Arlington on Runnels\u2019 death.<\/p>\n
Runnels, 61, was arrested by the Fort Worth Police Department on a parole violation and booked into the Tarrant County Jail on June 11. On June 24, Runnels suffered a medical event and was taken to JPS Hospital, where Runnels died the next day.<\/p>\n
According to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner\u2019s Office website, the cause of Runnels\u2019 death has not been determined. Runnels\u2019 family said they have not been contacted by the Sheriff\u2019s Office on what happened to Runnels or why he died.<\/p>\n
\u201cI deeply, deeply loved my brother, and for this to happen to him, we must have answers, and I want justice for my brother and accountability,\u201d Vickie Rogers, Runnels\u2019 sister, said while holding back tears at Tuesday\u2019s press conference. \u201cI\u2019m not going to rest in peace without it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Runnels\u2019 death marks the fourth death in 11 days in the Tarrant County Jail. The others who died were: Mack Greer, 49, James Kent Johnson<\/a>, 40, and Carl Avery McCray, 40, who all died between June 15 and June 18.<\/p>\n In a statement, the Tarrant County Sheriff\u2019s Office said Runnels was not an in-custody death. The statement claims he entered the jail with extensive and ongoing medical issues and was released from custody on June 25 and passed away later that evening. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards determines that Runnels\u2019 death \u201cdoes not meet the criteria for an in-custody death,\u201d according to the statement.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery day, people arrive at our jail already sick, struggling with addiction, or dealing with long\u2010term untreated medical conditions,\u201d the statement reads. \u201cBy the time they come into our care, many are diagnosed with illnesses that are already in advanced stages. Working alongside our partners at JPS Health Network, we provide top\u2010tier medical care to every person in our facility. Unfortunately, there are cases where an individual\u2019s illness is so advanced that there is no curative treatment available. We remain committed to ensuring that every person in our custody is treated with professionalism, dignity, and the highest standard of care.\u201d<\/p>\n The family and Commissioner Simmons called for an investigation into not only Runnels\u2019 death but also for anyone who has died in-custody of Tarrant County Jail.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a partisan issue; it\u2019s not an ideological issue. It is a matter of justice and accountability and basic human dignity,\u201d Simmons said.<\/p>\n \u201cThese people deserve answers, and from what they\u2019re being told right now is that there will not be an independent investigation, and that is simply tragic.\u201d<\/p>\n The family said that when they arrived at JPS Hospital, Runnels was still in cuffs and chains. His cuffs and chains were removed and a few minutes later he was pronounced dead, according to the family.<\/p>\n Simmons said Runnels\u2019 release from custody might be similar to circumstances for Mack Greer, who was released on a personal recognizance bond<\/a>. Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community. This allows them to be with family during their final days, according to a Robbie Hoy, a spokesperson for the Tarrant County Sheriff\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n Victoria Rogers, Runnels\u2019 niece, reached out to Simmons on Facebook at 11 p.m. Thursday about Runnels\u2019 death, and Simmons responded to the message. When there is a death in jail, the Sheriff’s Office notifies the county, then the commissioner court\u2019s members receive a communication that a death has occurred in custody or jail.<\/p>\n Simmons said on Tuesday she has yet to be notified about Runnels\u2019 death by the administrative office.<\/p>\n Victoria Rogers said they are still looking for answers and a proper investigation into her uncle\u2019s death.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very saddening that you have to fight for these answers,\u201d Victoria Rogers said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to cry out, you have to reach out, you have to go and try to piece together your own timeline of what you think or believe happened to your loved one.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n
![\"Profile](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1e7fca05-bf69-472a-8779-abb13b4a37a4-Kamal_Morgan-News.jpg\")