Fatal Encounters

A step toward creating an impartial, comprehensive and searchable national database of people killed during interactions with police

Joe Angel Cortez

Name: Joe Angel Cortez
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Race: Hispanic/Latino
Date: 11/03/2015
Location: 610 Holliday St
Wichita Falls, Texas, 76301
County: Wichita
Agency: Wichita Falls Police Department
Cause of Death:
Intended Use of Force:
Media summary: On 11-03-15, officers of the Wichita Falls Police Department arrested Joe Angel Cortez Jr. for an outstanding probation violation warrant. He was arrested and handcuffed without incident. He was first transported to the Wichita Falls Police Department for an interview, then transported to the Wichita County Jail. Upon arrival at the jail, the jail nurse found that Cortez had elevated blood pressure and was sweating profusely. The jail would not receive Cortez until he was medically cleared. Cortez was transported by WFPD officers to United Regional Health Care System emergency room. He was admitted to the hospital into the critical care unit. On 11-10-15 at 6:32 am, Cortez died. His body was sent to Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy. Preliminary autopsy results showed Cortez suffered from marked cardiomegaly, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, pulmonary congestion and edema, cerebral edema, and morbid obesity. No significant trauma was found.
Unique ID: 16854

News article: Link






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