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Contra Costa Sheriff, DA investigate in custody death of 40-year-old Walnut Creek man at Martinez Detention Facility

June 26, 2026 By Publisher Leave a Comment

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, at about 9:06 AM, a deputy sheriff at Martinez Detention Facility intake discovered a male inmate unresponsive in a room.

Health Services medical staff at MDF were immediately requested to respond. Deputies began life-saving measures until medical staff took over. The fire department and an ambulance also responded to MDF. The inmate was later pronounced deceased by paramedics.

The inmate is identified as 40-year-old Patrick Robert Smith who was White. He was arrested by Walnut Creek PD and booked into MDF on June 24, 2026, at about 10:00 AM. Smith was booked on narcotics charges.

According to the Walnut Creek Police Department, Smith was arrested at 8:45 AM in the 1800 Block of North Main Street.

The county-wide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol was invoked and this incident is being investigated by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and the Contra Costa D.A.’s Office.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Central County, District Attorney, News, Sheriff

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