Polk County inmate dies after medical emergency

POLK COUNTY, Texas (KTRE) - A Polk County Jail inmate died following a medical emergency Sunday, according to the sheriff's office. [KTRE]

A 66-year-old man died Sunday after experiencing a health crisis while in custody at the Polk County Jail, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Johnny Bernard Miles was being held at the facility when he became medically ill on Sunday morning. Jail personnel discovered the emergency and responded to assist Miles around 10:25 a.m., according to information released by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Miles was transported from the detention facility to a hospital for emergency medical treatment. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the medical facility at approximately 11:44 a.m., less than 1.5 hours after first becoming ill.

The incident has triggered an official investigation by the Texas Rangers, who have assumed responsibility for examining the circumstances of Miles' death. State authorities typically investigate in-custody deaths to determine whether proper procedures were followed and whether any wrongdoing occurred.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has not released additional information about the nature of Miles' medical emergency or other details surrounding the incident. The cause of death remains under investigation pending further findings from authorities and medical examination.