Deputies at the Rapides Detention Center – 1 responded to a medical emergency on May 19 around 7:20 am where they found an inmate unresponsive and not breathing inside his cell. The inmate was identified as Demetric Smith, 32 of Alexandria.

Deputies and Corrections Medical personnel responded immediately and started life saving measures which included the administration of Narcan for a possible opioid overdose, CPR  and the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). 

Deputies and medical personnel continued rendering life saving measures until Pafford EMS arrived on scene and took over the response.  Unfortunately, despite extensive and exhaustive life-saving efforts by deputies and medical first responders, Smith could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at approximately 8:12 AM. 

Corrections Security Investigators, Internal Affairs Investigators and Crime Scene Detectives responded to conduct their investigation which included gathering of evidence and conducting interviews of other inmates.   

Corrections Security Investigators say autopsy and toxicology results are pending and the investigation is still ongoing.