This post was updated on November 7, 2019 at 4:24 p.m. with additional video of Ms. Ross’ transport to the City Detention Center. The names of the arresting officers have also been added.
The involved arresting officers are:
1- Police Senior Corporal Larry Moody, #9291 – joined the department 11/2007
IAD allegations – Improper Transport and Failed to Provide Medical Treatment
Discipline action taken – Written Reprimand
2- Police Trainee Officer William Ortega, #11359 – joined the department 7/2017. IAD allegations – Improper Transport. Officer Ortega resigned from the department 8/2019 while he was under an Internal Affairs investigation.
Original Post:
There have been multiple inquiries into the death of 34-year-old Diamond S. Ross. Ms. Ross passed away on August 19, 2018, due to an accidental drug overdose. The department’s sympathy is with the family over the loss of their loved one. It is never easy to lose someone unexpectedly.
In an effort to be transparent, DPD is releasing video of Ms. Ross while in police custody on August 18, 2018. The family has been notified. The video is disturbing. The case was investigated by the Special Investigations Unit because Ms. Ross was in police custody at the time of her medical emergency. The case was submitted to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office for review. The DA’s Office, after reviewing all evidence, declined to pursue any criminal charges due to Ms. Ross’s death being ruled an accident by the Dallas County Medical Examiner.
The Dallas Police Department conducted an Internal Affairs investigation and concluded that the arresting officer failed to secure a prisoner with a seat belt during transport and failed to obtain medical treatment for a prisoner when it became apparent that the individual was unresponsive. To that end, the arresting officer, in this case, was disciplined for his behavior during this incident.
The Dallas Police Department is committed to ensuring excellence during its delivery of service by holding members of our department accountable.
The related case number is 182527-2018.
