Cherokee County Inmate Dies After Arrest

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is cooperating with the investigation into the death of a Cherokee County Inmate several hours after his arrest.

Around 5 pm, July 11th, 2018, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Wolf Creek community of Cherokee County to investigate an individual that was acting irrational. When deputies responded to the scene they arrested 30-year-old Joshua Shane Long for Resisting Public Officer, Simple Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Long was transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center where the North Carolina Magistrate set a $1000.00 secure bond. Long was processed and placed in a cell. Information found during the arrest of Long showed that he had a Blairsville, Georgia address.

Shortly after 11 pm, July 11th, 2018 Long was found unresponsive in his cell and Detention Staff began life saving measures. Detention Staff also notified Cherokee County Emergency Communications who summoned Cherokee County EMS who later transported Long to a Life Flight Air Ambulance. Long was flown to a Tennessee Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

​Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased. We are cooperating fully with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and will continue to do so until we know how this happened.”

WKRK joins the Sheriff's Office in sending sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Long. 

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