Inmate dies at Lawrence County Jail

BEDFORD – On Saturday, August 26th, an inmate died from a medical event while incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail.

Sheriff Greg Day has requested Indiana State Police detectives to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of 38-year-old Damien Pinnick, of Mitchell.

According to Sheriff Day, Pinnick was housed in a cell by himself in “M” Block. Correctional Officers had made multiple contacts with Pinnick throughout Saturday morning. Around noon, an officer supplied Pinnick with his lunch tray and had a brief conversation with him. A short time later, when officers were picking up the lunch trays, Pinnick was found unresponsive in his cell. Officers attempted life-saving measures, including CPR and the use of an AED, however, those efforts were unsuccessful. IU Health EMS responded to the jail as well, but Pinnick was pronounced deceased at the scene,

An autopsy was completed that same day. At this time, it appears that Pinnick suffered from a possible seizure, which led to his death. Toxicology results are pending.

A notification has been made to Pinnick’s family.

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Officers, Lawrence County Corrections Officers, Indiana State Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators, IU Health Lifeline EMS, and the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office all assisted with the response and investigation.

Pinnick was arrested on August 1 after a Mitchell Police officer conducted a traffic stop at the Shell station at State Road 37 and Main Street in Mitchell.

Pinnick was a passenger in the vehicle and was arrested after he handed the officer a marijuana pipe.

During a probable cause search of the vehicle, police found a small baggie containing crystal meth and another smoking device with meth residue in the center console.

Both the driver and Pinnick denied the meth and smoking pipe were theirs.

Pinnick and the driver, 29-year-old Adam Swartz, of Mitchell, were arrested on charges of possession of meth and drug paraphernalia. Pinnick was also charged with possession of marijuana.