The Dallas Police Department has released new information, including 911 audio, body-worn camera footage, and Dallas Sheriff’s Office security video, regarding the death in custody of 47-year-old Frank Ruiz. This marks the third death in custody case for the department in 2025.
On September 21, 2025, around 10:24 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of South Hampton Road after a caller reported a man yelling outside a residence. The man, later identified as Ruiz, had reportedly been outside for about an hour.
At 10:50 p.m., the call was upgraded to a burglary in progress when Ruiz attempted to enter the home. Roughly 10 minutes later, the caller reported they had shot Ruiz after he broke a glass door with a brick.
Officers arrived around 11:06 p.m. and determined Ruiz had not been shot. Dallas Fire-Rescue assessed him at the scene, and he was transported to a local hospital. Ruiz was compliant and walked to the ambulance in handcuffs. During transport, Ruiz admitted to taking prescription medication, drinking alcohol, and smoking methamphetamine. He also disclosed a history of seizures. Paramedics noted his elevated heart rate and signs of distress.
At the hospital, Ruiz was treated and later cleared for jail intake around 2:25 a.m. on September 22. He was then transported to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center.
Shortly after 3 a.m., Ruiz showed increasing difficulty standing during intake procedures. Dallas Police and Dallas Sheriff’s Office personnel assisted him multiple times through the screening process. At 3:13 a.m., after being carried to the book-in line, Ruiz became unresponsive.
Dallas Fire-Rescue and jail medical staff initiated life-saving measures at 3:20 a.m. He was transported back to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 4:11 a.m.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Community Police Oversight have been notified. The case remains under investigation by the Dallas Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit.
In the interest of transparency, DPD has released 911 audio, body-worn camera video, and jail security footage related to the incident. The material is available to the public here: Watch on YouTube.
