Deaths occurring in police stations typically fall under the category of deaths in custody, and can result from a variety of causes including natural causes or illness, suicide, use of force incidents, or accidents[2]. In the United States federal system, for instance, there were 613 deaths in custody reported for fiscal year 2021; the majority (80%) were attributed to natural causes or illnesses, while approximately 10% were suicides[2].
Arrest-related deaths—which may include those occurring at police stations—totaled 105 federal cases in 2021. In 44% of these incidents, law enforcement was serving a warrant at initial contact, and a significant proportion (42%) involved the officer discharging a firearm[2]. Attempts by decedents to injure law enforcement or discharge a firearm were also documented in a large minority of cases[2].
State and local reporting is also available; for example, the Philadelphia Police Department recorded multiple fatalities in police shootings during 2025, with several cases resulting in the death of civilians, sometimes following incidents or altercations at or near police stations[7].
Demographic data on deaths in custody indicate that the vast majority are male (96%), with most decedents being either white (62%) or black (32%), and over half aged 55 or older[2]. The most commonly cited offenses for those who died in custody include drug, sex, and weapons violations[2].
Public reporting and statistics regarding deaths in police stations highlight both the risks of medical emergencies and the dangers associated with use of force incidents involving law enforcement. Oversight, public awareness, and independent investigations are common responses to high-profile cases of in-custody deaths[8].
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