San Diego County sheriff's deputies ignored Bobby Ray Patton's pleas for help during Vista jail safety checks; he died hours later
Bobby Ray Patton, 46, died December 28, 2024, at the Vista Detention Facility in Vista, California, after two San Diego County sheriff's deputies conducted routine safety checks but failed to respond as he audibly pleaded for medical help. Body-worn camera footage showed Deputy 3 turning away and switching off his camera after Patton said "I can't breathe" and "please help me"; Deputy 1 passed his cell less than an hour later while Patton was audibly moaning and also did not intervene. Patton died at 8:45 a.m. after a third deputy finally summoned medical staff around 7:51 a.m., too late to save him.