The death of Rhyker Earl, a 26-year-old Indiana man, following a medical incident has raised concerns from his family about law enforcement’s involvement during his final moments.
Earl, who had epilepsy, experienced severe seizures on Sept. 8 at his home in DeMotte, prompting multiple emergency responses, including from deputies of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
Earl’s family alleges that during the second response, officers restrained him by pinning him face down into a pillow, which they believe restricted his breathing and contributed to his death.
He was transported to a hospital and placed on life support but was removed two days later after tests showed no brain activity.
Body camera footage released by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office in response to the family’s claims offers a different perspective.
According to Sheriff Pat Williamson, the footage shows officers placing a pillow under Earl’s head to prevent him from injuring himself during the medical episode, asserting that there was no evidence deputies restricted his breathing.
Williamson stated that deputies followed protocol and restrained Earl to prevent harm, noting that he remained vocal throughout the encounter and was placed in the recovery position.
The family, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, is pursuing legal action, asserting that the officers’ actions contributed to Earl’s death.
The case remains under investigation by Indiana State Police, with an official cause of death still pending as the Lake County Coroner reviews the autopsy and toxicology results.
This tragic incident has sparked renewed debate about police protocols in medical emergencies, especially involving individuals with medical conditions like epilepsy, and has highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.