Probe set into Thurston County man’s death after medical event

Thurston Sheriff’s Office announced that it will investigate the death of a 55-year-old Thurston County resident following a medical-related call with Lacey fire personnel and Sheriff’s deputies.

“The Thurston County Sheriff's Office requested that an independent investigation be conducted into this incident by an uninvolved agency,” a press release dated April 12 Tuesday read. “The Lewis County Sheriff's Office will take lead in this investigation.”

The Sheriff’s Office said the Lacey Fire Department was dispatched to a medical event on the 1200 block of Manito Drive on Tuesday, April 12, after individuals at that address reported a man acting erratically and believed to be in need of medical attention.

Fire personnel requested that law enforcement secure the scene due to the man’s erratic behavior, according to the news release.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the address and handcuffed the man “in an effort to ensure the safety of first responders as well as others in the home,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

The man was seated and speaking with Sheriff’s deputies while waiting for fire personnel to arrive, but later became unresponsive.

Sheriff’s deputies uncuffed the man and began performing life-saving measures, which were continued by Lacey fire personnel when they arrived at the scene, but the man died.

The Thurston County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of the man’s death, the Sheriff’s Office said.