News Summary
Two officers from the Irmo Police Department have been placed on administrative leave after a suspect died in custody. The incident began with a police chase after reports of a fight in a vehicle. Following a physical altercation, the suspect was taken into custody but later experienced breathing difficulties and later died at the hospital. An independent investigation has been initiated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Irmo Police Officers on Leave After Suspect Dies in Custody
Irmo, South Carolina – Two officers from the Irmo Police Department have been placed on administrative leave following the death of a suspect while he was in police custody. This situation is currently under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The incident began in the early hours of June 22, 2025, when police received a call about a potential fight occurring inside a vehicle in the New Friarsgate area around 2:05 a.m. Upon arriving at the scene, officers noticed the vehicle attempting to drive away, which initiated a brief police chase ending near a Dollar General on Broad River Road.
During the encounter, the driver of the vehicle, identified as a 45-year-old male and the sole occupant, reportedly engaged in a physical altercation with the responding officers before being taken into custody. Shortly after securing the suspect, the officers observed that he was having trouble breathing, prompting them to immediately call for emergency medical services (EMS).
The Irmo officers performed CPR and other life-saving techniques while awaiting the arrival of EMS. Once on the scene, EMS transported the suspect to a local hospital due to the critical condition he was in. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead on June 25, 2025.
In accordance with department policy aimed at ensuring transparency during such incidents, the Irmo Police Department reached out to SLED for an independent investigation the day after the suspect’s hospitalization, on June 23, 2025. The two officers involved in the incident were placed on leave following standard procedure as the investigation unfolds.
Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale has expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased while emphasizing the department’s commitment to transparency and accountability in all matters. As this investigation is ongoing, further information will not be disclosed until the conclusion of the inquiry.
Background Context
The use of administrative leave for police officers involved in critical incidents is a general practice across various law enforcement agencies. This policy allows for an objective investigation free from potential bias or interference from the officers involved. The ongoing inquiry by SLED will look into the circumstances surrounding the death of the suspect to ensure all procedures were followed correctly and to assess the actions of the officers during the encounter.
The importance of these investigations has gained significant attention, particularly regarding police interactions with suspects in custody. In recent years, there have been increasing calls for accountability and transparency, especially after highly publicized incidents involving law enforcement that have raised questions about the treatment of individuals in custody. Local communities often watch these investigations closely, hoping for swift resolutions and measures that uphold justice and public safety.
As this case progresses, local residents and those interested in the incident will await the findings from SLED, which is expected to provide a clearer picture of the events leading to the suspect’s death and the officers’ actions during the incident.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX
- WISTV
- ABC Columbia
- WACH
- The State
- Wikipedia: Police Brutality
- Google Search: Police officers administrative leave
- Google Scholar: Police accountability investigations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police procedures
- Google News: Irmo Police Department
