Virginia Beach inmate’s death ruled a homicide, 5 deputies fired
The death of a man who died several days after being restrained by deputies at the Virginia Beach jail has been ruled a homicide, and the city's sheriff announced Friday that five deputies involved in the incident have been terminated.
Rolin Hill, 34, died from "positional and mechanical asphyxia due to restraint with neck and torso compression," according to Donna Price, a spokeswoman for the Tidewater Medical Examiner's Office. Price declined to say when the findings were released.
Hill was arrested June 4 by Virginia Beach police or charges of trespassing, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He was taken to the jail after a magistrate denied him bond.
Hill was "uncooperative and combative" during the booking process and had to be restrained, according to the sheriff's department. Less than a half hour after arriving at the jail, he experienced a "medical emergency" and was taken by ambulance to a hospital. He died six days later.
A news release issued by Sheriff Rocky Holcomb on Friday afternoon said the decision to terminate the deputies was "based on updates" provided by Virginia State Police, the agency investigating the incident. The release didn't identify the deputies, nor did it say when their employment ended, or provide any other details.
"We are committed to continuing our full cooperation with the investigation and vow to provide full transparency once all investigations are concluded and adjudicated by the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney's Office," Holcomb wrote in the release. "We remain committed to justice and transparency, which is why I requested an independent investigation by VSP immediately upon being notified of what occurred."
Spokespersons for Virginia State Police and the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney's Office said Friday that their investigations into Hill's death are ongoing.
"Once the VSP turn over their report, we will thoroughly review it," Commonwealth's Attorney Office spokeswoman Macie Allen said in a statement. "We ask for the public's patience throughout our continued investigation and will share an update at the conclusion of our review."
Attempts by The Pilot to reach members of Hill's family on Friday were not successful. An obituary for Hill that ran in The Pilot said that he was an Eagle Scout who loved surfing, skateboarding and hanging out at the beach and with his family. The obituary went on to say that "mental health in America is still a major issue," and asked that any donations made in Hill's memory be made to mental health foundations.
This is a developing story. Please check back later for updates.
