MILWAUKEE — A 27-year-old man died in police custody Wednesday night after being twice hospitalized, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said Thursday.
The incident started at around 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 1600 block of S. Cesar Chavez Dr.
Norman said that during a traffic stop, the 27-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with a drug investigation.
He said officers noticed that the man needed medical attention, as they believed he had taken some sort of controlled substance.
Officers took the man to a hospital, where he was later medically cleared and taken to MPD's District 2 building.
According to Norman, once the man arrived at District 2 he had another medical emergency, and was taken to another hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating the death as a probable drug overdose, according to an emailed statement.
“We still don’t know the extend of how and what happened in regards to the particular drugs inside of him,” said Chief Norman.
As part of Milwaukee Police procedure anyone in police custody is suppose to be under 24 hour supervision. Chief Norman was asked if the man in custody was watched.
“This is part of our protocol that officers are with their individuals who are in custody but every particular district has a temporary holding facility. But this is still an on-going investigation as to the specifics of what happened and where,” Chief Norman said.
Two MPD officers have been put on administrative leave while the death is investigated, per department policy. The West Allis Police Department has taken over the investigation because the death happened in Milwaukee Police custody.
This is a developing story - check back for more details.
