Family of man who died in police custody has questions

The family of a 28-year-old man who died in Barrington police custody Sunday are questioning the circumstances of his demise.

Dennis John "D.J." Russell of Wonder Lake, was discovered unresponsive in his cell at the Barrington police station hours after authorities said he declined treatment for vomiting.

The Lake County coroner is still awaiting toxicology tests results but has said evidence of heart disease was discovered during the autopsy.

But Russell's grandmother, Gail Patterson of Portage, Wis., said his mother has hired an attorney in her pursuit of answers. Russell's mother, Nora Mowers, could not be reached.

Authorities said Russell was brought to the station the night of July 4 after he was picked up on a warrant for felony retail theft.

"He was troubled, but he didn't deserve to die," Patterson said.

Acting Police Chief Jerry Libit said the Lake County Sheriff's office has been invited in as an independent agency to investigate the circumstances of Russell's death.

Libit said he didn't know how long the probe would take, but it likely won't be closed until after the coroner has determined the cause of death.

Russell's family and friends expressed skepticism that he would have declined treatment, or that paramedics wouldn't be required to provide assistance even if he had.

Barrington Fire Chief Jim Arie declined to comment on any specific case still under investigation by the coroner.

But in general, there are very few circumstances in which treatment is required or in which a person would lose the right to decline treatment, Arie said. One exception is if the person is a minor.

Barrington Village Manager Jeff Lawler said Russell declined treatment after paramedics arrived and talked to him, not before.

Libit said Russell, when taken into custody, was asked standard medical questions used to establish whether someone has to be treated with extra care.

These questions include whether a person has any medical problems or is on medication. There are also psychological questions, such as if the person is suicidal.

Libit said Russell's responses did not call his health into question, and he did not appear to be under the influence.

Russell's death occurred about 24 hours after he was taken into custody, Libit said. Visual checks on prisoners are made every half-hour, and Russell was in contact with several people before and he got sick at 4:45 p.m. Sunday.

He was discovered unresponsive around 10:30 p.m., and paramedics were called again, Libit said.

There is video surveillance that rotates among several cameras in the station, but Libit said Friday that he hasn't yet reviewed the tape.

Visitation for Russell, who is also survived by two daughters, is at 1 p.m. today, followed by a service at 3 p.m., at Countryside Funeral Home, 95 S. Gilbert St., South Elgin.