The Boone County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday released an update into the death of Prince McGoy’s Death on August 11.
The internal investigation into the jail death continues. Preliminary results of the autopsy show that McGoy did die as a result of a heart attack. Specific details and toxicology results are still outstanding from the Marion County Cororner. The conclusion of our internal investigation will need these results before the
investigation is concluded, this could be a very long waiting period.
During the course of our continued investigation we have disciplined two staff members:
1. It was found that Corrections Officer Jeff Godzeski acted negligently and was ultimately terminated for a violation of:
BCSO STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES 0208 Performance of Duty – Incompetence
.10 No Member shall, in the performance of his or her duties, display reluctance or inability to properly perform his assigned tasks, act in a manner tending to bring discredit upon himself of the Office, fail to assume responsibility or fail to exercise diligence, intelligence, and interest in the pursuit of his duties. Officer Godzeski was terminated on August 12, one day after the event.
2. Corrections Officer Luke Cody was placed on a three day, non-paid, suspension reference the same violation of Performance of Duty, for his involvement and actions in the medical call.
A third corrections officer was praised for her actions during the time this incident occurred. This was noted in her personnel file.
At this point, no criminal charges have been filed, but the investigation is ongoing.
All other matters into Prince McGoy’s death is still under investigation and we are awaiting a full coroner’s report for closure.
Sheriff Mike Nielsen stated: “We continue to take this investigation very seriously. I have asked the Indiana Department of Corrections to work alongside our investigators and review what we have accomplished to this point. We also have involved Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood in this Investigation. After personally being involved from the day this investigation started, it was decided to discipline two of our Corrections Officers. We hold our staff accountable to a higher standard morally and ethically. The actions of two of our members should not reflect on our entire staff. I am confident the BCSO provides great medical care to those we are entrusted to care for. This incident has allowed me to look at protocols moving forward to be better at what we do. I look forward to sharing the policy changes we will make in the next update.