The coroner has released the identity of a 61-year-old man who was found dead in his cell at the Lake County Jail Friday while serving a jail sentence in a criminal case.
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer was conducting rounds in Pod 3 Southeast just before 7:30 a.m. Friday.
The officer observed an inmate lying on his bed and the inmate appeared to be unresponsive, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The correctional officer called out to the inmate but he did not respond.
Covelli said the officer entered the inmate’s cell to try and wake him but found he was unconscious and not breathing.
The correctional officer called a medical emergency on the radio and summoned nursing staff and an ambulance.
Staff performed CPR and utilized an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Covelli said.
Waukegan Fire Department paramedics arrived and took over care on the man, who was identified as Troy Davis, 61, of Chicago, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
Davis was pronounced dead after paramedics performed medical care for an extended period of time.
Covelli said Davis was remanded to the Lake County Jail on April 26 to serve a 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to driving while having a revoked driver’s license.
Davis did not have a cellmate as he was assigned to a single-inmate cell in Pod 3 Southeast.
Rounds were conducted at least 30 minutes prior to the incident and the inmate did not appear to be in distress at that time, Covelli said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force to conduct an independent investigation in accordance with protocol.
There did not appear to be any suspicious marks or injuries on Davis’ body, Covelli said, adding that the inmate had underlying health conditions.
Banek also said there was no evidence of significant trauma and Davis had underlying medical conditions.
Preliminary autopsy results are pending toxicology and further medical testing.