Investigation into In-Custody Death at Polk County Jail

POLK COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate the death of an inmate who was found unresponsive Monday evening at the Polk County Jail.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 42-year-old Kirk Douglas Owens of Cedartown was discovered unresponsive in his cell on the evening of July 6.

Owens was being held at the jail on charges of public drunkenness and a probation violation.

Jail officers and on-site medical staff immediately began performing CPR and other life-saving measures while awaiting the arrival of Emergency Medical Services. Owens was transported by EMS to Atrium Health Polk Medical Center, where he later died.

In accordance with standard procedures for in-custody deaths, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

Sheriff Johnny Moats and the staff of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office expressed their condolences to Owens’ family.

“Our sincere, heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Mr. Kirk Douglas Owens,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Officials said any additional information regarding the investigation will be released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.