Fullerton — A man has died in the custody of Fullerton City Jail, on December 29, 2025, after being taken into custody the night before. jail-cells-g8c31afb4e_640

Incident Details

On December 28, 2025, a Fullerton Police Officer found a man slumped against a light pole at the intersection of Euclid St. and Orangethorpe Ave. at around 10:48 p.m. The man would be booked at around 11:05 p.m, and was said to be cooperative during his arrest and transport to jail. The jailer performed a routine check at 12:05 a.m. and reported the man appearing to be asleep but breathing, but an hour later the man was found unresponsive. Both jail staff and police officers performed life saving measures until the Fullerton Fire Department arrived. The man would be taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. 

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is conducting an investigation into the incident.

Legal Oversight and Standards 

California requires law enforcement agencies to report all deaths in custody under California Government Code § 12525.

Investigators will evaluate:

  • Whether appropriate monitoring and safety-check procedures were followed

  • The timeliness and adequacy of the medical response

  • Whether any environmental or procedural factors contributed to the emergency

  • Compliance with state and local jail-safety standards

If authorities determine that unconstitutional conduct, negligence, or inadequate medical care contributed to the death, families may pursue civil-rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Seeking Accountability for In Custody Deaths

If you witnessed this incident, knew the man involved, or are seeking to understand your rights, consider the following steps:

1. Request Public Records

This may include medical logs, transportation-area surveillance footage, emergency-response records, and coroner findings.

2. Preserve Any Evidence You Have

Document the time, location, and what you observed. Save any videos, photos, or notes related to the incident.

3. Consult with a Civil-Rights Attorney

Families may have legal options when deaths in custody raise questions about medical response, jail policies, or constitutional protections.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by an in-custody death such as this one in Fullerton, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the confidential form at the bottom of this page to speak with our legal team.

Legal Disclaimer:
This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we will update or remove the post as needed.