Texas City Man Dies After Swallowing Substance During Police Stop

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the Texas City Police Department (TCPD) conducted a pedestrian stop in the 400 block of Oak Street for a traffic violation. During the stop, officers observed a man placing an unknown object into his mouth.

The man, later identified as Derrick Dewayne Glenn, 47, of Texas City, Texas, was secured in hand restraints while officers attempted to investigate. Shortly afterward, Glenn appeared to be in distress, prompting the officers to call Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the scene.

While being transported to HCA Mainland Emergency Room, EMS dislodged and removed a baggy containing an unknown substance from Glenn’s throat. Despite life-saving measures by medical staff at the hospital, Glenn was pronounced dead.

The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy and request a toxicology report to determine the cause of death.

As standard procedure in in-custody deaths, the Texas Rangers (Department of Public Safety) and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office were requested to investigate the incident. Upon completion, the findings will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.

Further inquiries regarding the investigation should be directed to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office. Glenn’s family has been notified of his death.