The case of Edward Henry, the 54-year-old individual who died in custody earlier in the week, is raising challenging questions in the city of Omaha. Just hours after being arrested by Omaha police on Tuesday, Henry went unresponsive at the Douglas County jail. He died early in the morning on Wednesday at the hospital, and his death has led to questions about how he was treated during and after his arrest.
Police say Henry had been arrested over a reported case of burglary. A car associated with the case got pulled over by police, and Henry was arrested in what they called a high-risk traffic stop. There were several police officers present, in part because a pit bull was in the vehicle, which required them to deal with both the arrest and the dog.
What Occurred During the Arrest
The police, according to their report, took Edward Henry into a police cruiser after the arrest. At another, police officers tried to replace his handcuffs, which is an ordinary practice when the person who arrested the suspect is not the one who takes him to court. At this point, according to the police, Henry held on to the metal bars on the cruiser window at the back and failed to relinquish them.
Body-worn and witness-smartphone video recordings depict officers hitting Henry on the wrist in an attempt to cause him to loosen his grip. He was then pushed to the ground, re-handcuffed, and after 20 seconds stood up again. According to police officials, none of the policemen knelt on the back or neck of Henry during the incident, and their actions were by the department’s policy.
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What Happened at the Jail
After being booked into the Douglas County Corrections facility, Henry reportedly underwent a standard medical assessment. However, by around 2:15 a.m. the next morning, jail staff found him unresponsive in his cell. CPR was performed immediately, and emergency services were called. Henry was rushed to the Nebraska Medical Center, but despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly after 3 a.m.
An autopsy was performed the next day. According to officials, preliminary results show that Edward Henry died of a heart attack. His left ventricle, a key part of the heart, was found to be heavily blocked. Authorities noted that broken ribs found during the examination were likely the result of the resuscitation attempts performed by jail staff. Toxicology results are still pending and may take more time.
Police and Community Reactions
The Omaha Police Chief held a press conference to address public concerns. He emphasized that transparency was a top priority and stated that officers’ actions during Henry’s arrest were in line with training and department standards. He also acknowledged that the situation is especially sensitive, taking place around Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., and which highlights the long-standing tensions between law enforcement and Black communities.
The police department released body camera footage earlier than usual by using an emergency exception, aiming to provide a fuller picture compared to the short clips circulating on social media. The chief also said he supports working with lawmakers to speed up the public release of such footage in the future.
Ongoing Investigations and Next Steps
There are now two active investigations into Edward Henry death: one by the Omaha Police Department regarding the arrest, and another by the county corrections department regarding what happened after he was booked. By Nebraska law, any in-custody death will also be reviewed by a grand jury to ensure that all the facts are considered.
City leaders, including the mayor and local council members, have promised accountability and urged the community to allow the process to unfold. They also expressed condolences to Henry’s family and called for unity during this time of public concern.
