Deaths in police stations and while in police custody are a significant issue in the United States, drawing ongoing public concern and scrutiny[6]. In 2025, independent trackers estimate that law enforcement have killed at least 721 people in the first half of the year, with incidents occurring across 49 states and the District of Columbia[7].
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), in the most recent reporting year (2022), there were 120 arrest-related deaths and 483 deaths in custody in the federal system. The majority of these deaths in custody—approximately 74%—were attributed to natural causes or illnesses, while 11% were the result of accidents, and a smaller percentage were due to suicide or other causes[4].
Analysis of federal deaths in custody found that:
- Most decedents were male (96%) and 63% were white, 31% were Black[4].
- Over half (51%) were age 55 or older[4].
- The most commonly reported offenses among those who died in custody were drug violations (29%), weapons violations (20%), and sex offenses (19%)[4].
Arrest-related deaths occurred most frequently during violent confrontations; law enforcement discharged firearms in approximately 43% of such cases. In about 35% of cases, the decedent attempted to injure officers, and in 38%, a firearm was discharged by the decedent[4].
It is important to note that data on deaths in police stations specifically—distinct from general deaths in custody or during arrest—are not systematically or comprehensively reported nationally. Independent organizations stress that many police departments fail to provide basic information regarding fatalities in their custody, leading to significant gaps in official statistics and increased reliance on outside tracking and advocacy groups[7].
Additionally, in local jails, suicide is the leading single cause of death each year, highlighting the risks that detainees face even in non-confrontational scenarios[8].
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