HENRY COUNTY, VA – Four Henry County deputies have been fired after a use-of-force incident injured an inmate at the adult detention center during intake.
Sheriff Wayne Davis announced this in a press release on Friday afternoon.
Sheriff Davis said a man, who was arrested for being drunk in public, arrived at the jail on July 1 and was still intoxicated, uncooperative, and refused to change into a jail uniform.
The situation escalated and deputies used force on the man, according to the Sheriff.
The man was injured during the incident and was taken to Sovah Health in Martinsville for treatment.
The names of the man and the four deputies were not released.
As a result of the incident, the four deputies involved were placed on administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
Sheriff Davis said his department has concluded its internal investigation and found that all four deputies violated multiple agency policies.
The incident has been referred to a special prosecutor to determine what, if any, criminal charges are applicable.
JULY 7, 9 PM UPDATE
HENRY COUNTY, VA – Four deputies have been suspended after a use-of-force incident at the adult detention center, according to Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis.
During a Friday, July 7, press conference, Sheriff Davis said on Saturday, July 1, a man was arrested and brought into the Henry County Adult Detention Center for being drunk in public.
The sheriff said when the man arrived at the jail, he was still intoxicated, very uncooperative, and refused to change into a jail uniform.
The situation then escalated, and Davis said his deputies used force on the man.
The man was injured and transported to Sovah Health in Martinsville, where he was treated for his injuries and released.
Sheriff Davis said he was notified of the incident on Thursday, July 6, although the situation occurred late Saturday, July 1 and into early Sunday, July 2.
The sheriff then contacted the Virginia State Police to review the incident.
The case is also being reviewed by Henry County's Commonwealth's Attorney Andrew Nester.
In addition, the sheriff's office is conducting a full internal affairs review of the situation.
“When I was sworn in as sheriff, just days ago, I made a commitment to this community to be transparent in our processes and I also promised that I would hold accountable any deputy who failed the community's trust,” Davis said.
The four deputies involved were suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
Sheriff Davis also said a recent need to hire deputies meant lowering the required age to be hired to 19, but with this incident, he has raised the mandatory age back to 21.
This is an ongoing state police investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY
HENRY COUNTY, VA – A use-of-force incident at the adult detention center is being investigated by the Virginia State Police, according to Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis.
On Thursday afternoon, BTW21 News was contacted by a man who identified himself as the victim of the incident said, “I'm trying to get the video on me being beaten by the police and hospitalize[d].”
The victim did not say where and when the alleged incident occurred so we followed up with questions later that evening.
On Friday morning, the victim responded and claimed the incident happen July 1 at the Henry County Adult Detention Center.
We then reached out to Sheriff Davis who stated that he could not provide much information due to the investigation being turned over to State Police.
“This will be followed up on Monday,” State Police Public Relations Director Corinne Geller wrote via email on Friday evening.
Davis has called a press conference at 9 p.m. tonight, where we hope to learn more about this story.
Stay with BTW21 News for updates.
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