Sheriff Investigating In-Custody Death At Martinez Detention Facility

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 Smith. He was arrested by Walnut Creek PD and booked into MDF on June 24, 2026 at about 10 AM. Smith was booked on narcotics charges.

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.