Byron Jackson Obituary, Death Cause – Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford has identified the man who died while in the custody of the Irmo Police Department as 45-year-old Byron Jackson, a resident of North Augusta, South Carolina.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, June 22, 2025. Around 2:05 a.m., Irmo police officers responded to a report of a possible fight taking place inside a vehicle in the New Friarsgate neighborhood. Upon arriving at the scene, officers attempted to approach the vehicle in question. However, the vehicle fled, prompting a brief police chase.
The pursuit came to an end near the Dollar General store on Broad River Road. Authorities say that after the vehicle stopped, the driver—later identified as Jackson—was involved in a physical confrontation with officers before being placed under arrest.
Soon after being restrained, Jackson began experiencing significant difficulty breathing, according to officials. Emergency medical services were called immediately, and officers, along with paramedics, began administering life-saving measures on the way to the hospital.
Despite their efforts, Jackson’s condition did not improve, and he died shortly afterward.
Given the serious nature of the incident and Jackson’s death while in police custody, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) was called in the following day, Monday, June 23, to conduct an independent investigation. SLED’s involvement is standard protocol in cases involving in-custody deaths or potential use-of-force concerns.
As part of the response to the incident, two Irmo police officers involved in the arrest were placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. This is also a standard procedure in such cases, intended to allow for a thorough review without interference.
Authorities have not yet released specific details about the altercation between Jackson and the officers or what may have led to his breathing difficulties. Likewise, the results of an autopsy or toxicology report, if any, have not been made public.
The death of Byron Jackson has sparked concern and calls for transparency as the community awaits answers. Family members and advocacy groups are likely to follow the investigation closely, especially given the rising national attention to cases involving deaths in police custody.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office will continue working with SLED as the investigation unfolds. Officials say further information will be released once the investigation is complete and the facts have been reviewed.
In the meantime, the focus remains on determining exactly what happened in the moments before and after Jackson’s arrest to understand the cause of his death and whether any procedures or actions contributed to the outcome.