Deaths in police stations can refer to individuals who die while in police custody, either as a result of police action, health complications, suicide, or other circumstances. Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics show that in fiscal year 2021, there were 504 deaths in custody in federal facilities, with the majority (80%) due to natural causes or illnesses, followed by suicide (10%)[2]. These deaths encompass various scenarios, including incidents inside police stations, jail holding cells, or during transfers. In FY 2022, there were 483 deaths in federal custody, again with natural causes being the primary reason[4].
In arrest-related situations, 64 deaths on average were reported annually from 2016 to 2021 among those being detained or arrested. The manner of death was most often the result of law enforcement action, but included homicides, suicides, accidents, natural causes, and cases with unknown causes[2]. In about 42-43% of arrest-related deaths in recent years, law enforcement officers discharged firearms[2][4]. Offenses related to those who died in custody most commonly included drug violations, sex offenses, and weapons violations[2][4].
On a local level, high-profile incidents of deaths resulting directly from police action—such as shootings—do sometimes occur in or near police stations. For example, in Chicago, police shot and killed six people in the first five months of 2025, the same number as in all of 2024, including some incidents resulting from pursuits or confrontations within or adjacent to police facilities[1].
The overall issue of deaths in police custody, including within police stations, has prompted significant public scrutiny and demand for reforms. These include better oversight, improved healthcare protocols within police holding areas, and policies to reduce use-of-force incidents that could turn deadly[1][6].
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