A man acting erratically, jumping into a yard and screaming, died after being arrested by El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies, a sheriff’s commander said.
Lt. Col. Roel Contreras, 46, died Friday night, March 20, at Del Sol Medical Center after being detained during a disturbance in San Elizario. Jerome Washington said during a press conference at headquarters on Saturday morning, March 21.
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Washington, chief of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, said the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Jerome Washington speaks during a press conference on March 21, 2026, regarding the in-custody death of Roel Contreras, 46, who died after being arrested by deputies on March 20, 2026, in San Elizario, Texas.
Sheriff Oscar Ugarte was unable to attend Saturday morning because he was participating in a Montana Vista community cleanup with County Commissioner Jackie Butler, said Priscilla I. Contreras, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
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Washington said the incident occurred minutes before 5 p.m. Friday when residents reported a man acting erratically, yelling, climbing into yards and trying to enter the home in the 12000 block of Campo Bello Drive.
“He was also seen running at almost full speed, yelling and jumping over fences,” Washington added.
When officers arrived, they found Contreras in a vacant lot with some of his clothing missing, Washington said, explaining that officers were trying to check on the man’s well-being.
“As they approached, his behavior continued to be erratic. He was rolling on the ground, yelling and appearing to be incoherent,” Washington said.
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When officers tried to check on the man, “while they were talking to him, he became combative and they had to restrain him, but it was done with minimal force. No problem at all,” Washington said.
Washington added that no Taser or other weapons were used during the arrest.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Jerome Washington speaks during a press conference on March 21, 2026, regarding the in-custody death of Roel Contreras, 46, who died after being arrested by deputies on March 20, 2026, in San Elizario, Texas.
As is customary, paramedics waited nearby for safety reasons until the scene was safe.
As deputies escorted Contreras to a shady area to wait for paramedics, he became unresponsive and deputies began first aid and CPR, Washington said. Paramedics arrived within minutes, continued CPR and transported him to Del Sol Medical Center. He was pronounced dead by hospital medical staff at 6:21 p.m.
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Washington said the death was unfortunate, traumatic for everyone involved and “very tragic.” He explained that the situation developed quickly and did not give deputies time to determine whether they were dealing with a drug-related or mental health issue or whether the man faced any criminal charges.
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Washington said that as is standard practice, three separate investigations are looking into the custodial death. These surveys are conducted by:
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Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety
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Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit
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The Home Office focuses on policy and use of force procedures.
Washington added that as standard practice during investigations, three deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, which “does not indicate wrongdoing.”
Daniel Borunda can be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel.
This article originally appeared in the El Paso Times: Man’s death during arrest in El Paso County under investigation