March 3, 2022
By News Director Jared Atha
The cause and manner of death of a Clinton man who died while in police custody has been released by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office.
At the request made by the Clinton Police Department, The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the in-custody death since last August.
According to an autopsy report, the ME’s office said that 37-year-old Butch Thomas Herndon’s probable cause of death was ruled an accident caused by methamphetamine toxicity.
The report showed that Herndon’s body tested positive for traces of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and alcohol at the time of his death.
The ME’s report also noted that vomit was found in the body’s respiratory system.
Herndon was arrested on August 31, 2021 by Clinton police for public intoxication after authorities received multiple calls in reference to a subject that was ‘acting strange’ and was trying to enter occupied vehicles in the parking lot of a convenience store located at 10th and Modelle.
The subject was being followed by witnesses and officers located the subject in the 1200 block of Modelle as he was attempting to enter a locked car in a driveway.
Police said the subject appeared to be intoxicated and was placed into custody without incident. A short time later, the subject attempted to kick out the windows of a patrol car and became out of control.
The subject was restrained, but no other force was used or required.
Medical and fire personnel were dispatched to the scene, but the subject refused to allow them to examine him. He was transported to the Clinton City Jail and placed on 15-minutes checks.
A short time later, he was found to be unresponsive and officers immediately began to render aid.
He was transported to Alliance-Health Clinton where he passed away.
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