California Police Concealed Death in Custody for Seven Years, Inquiry Uncovers
- Darryl Dean Mefferd's death in police custody in 2016 was kept secret by California police for seven years.
- The incident in Vallejo was labeled as an 'accident,' but a new inquiry questions the role of a police officer in the fatal event.
- The inquiry reveals a concerning lack of transparency and accountability in handling deaths in custody by the California police.
Darryl Mefferd, 49, died in 2016 while detained by Vallejo Police Department under unclear circumstances. His death was ruled accidental by the county coroner, who is also a police sergeant, leading to secrecy around the incident. Allegations of 'prone restraint' in Mefferd's case parallel George Floyd's murder in May 2020. Body camera footage reportedly showed an officer sitting on Mefferd's back for an extended period. Vallejo police have faced accusations of mishandling investigations and honoring officers involved in citizen deaths. Conflicting reports exist about the events leading to Mefferd's death, with some describing him as combative while others claim he was restrained in a prone position. Concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency in releasing footage and records related to the incident. The Solano County Sheriff's Office initially released limited information before providing additional records. The District Attorney's office denied any cover-up allegations and stated that records could be accessed through their web portal. Mefferd's family expressed deep distress over his death and the lack of clarity surrounding it.