Sheriff Investigates Death Of Inmate At Polk County Jail

FROSTPROOF, FL -- The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating the medical-related death of an inmate at the South County Jail in Frostproof.

According to the sheriff's office, paramedics were called to the jail at 9:20 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, when inmate Tyrone Shippee, 51, of Lake Afred became unresponsive.

He was transported to Lake Wales Medical Center where he died.

Shippee was arrested on Nov. 7 by the Polk County Sheriff's Office for an outstanding warrant for failing to register as a career offender. He was moved to the medical dorm on Sunday after he told staff he was experiencing stomach cramps, nausea . At 9:11 p.m. Monday, Shippee started to vomit and stopped breathing.

Detention deputies administered CPR while EMS was notified and responded.

There are no indications that Shippee was involved in any altercations while at the jail. He had no visible injuries. He was transported to the Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday.

Image via Polk County Sheriff

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