The Washoe County Medical Examiners office tracks law enforcement related deaths–any death occurring in custody or with officer involvement. It is important to note that while each death occurred in Washoe County, many may be from neighboring jurisdictions. For example, there is a California State Prison in Susanville. When any of their inmates are ill or injured, they are often transferred to a Reno hospital. The same is often true of the Nevada prisons in Lovelock and Carson City. Nevertheless, these statistics help illustrate law enforcement relations amidst a national conversation.

29 people died in law enforcement related deaths from 2019 to 2021. Here is the breakdown of deaths by year:

2019 – 10

2020 – 11

2021 – 8

28 out of the 29 law enforcement related deaths were male. Here is the racial breakdown:

White – 18/29

Hispanic – 8/29

Black – 2/29

American Indian – 1/29

22 deaths occurred in custody. 15 died due to “natural” occurrences like pneumonia. 8 of these were related to COVID-19. 6 deaths occurred from suicide. 1 death was undetermined.

6 deaths-homicides-occurred out of custody due to officer involvement. 3 of these were Hispanic. 2 were White, and one Black.

We will request more information on homicides in order to paint a better picture.

Click here to view the full data.