West Richland man who died in jail was ‘acting strange’ before his arrest

A 33-year-old West Richland man with a history of drug use and diabetes died in the Benton County jail on Tuesday.

Investigators released more information Wednesday about Bryce Hilzer’s death in the booking area. He was in an area where he could be watched following his arrest for hitting a West Richland officer.

Benton County jail officials asked the Regional Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to handle the death investigation. The multi-agency organization uses detectives from Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties to look into deaths involving people in police custody.

Family members called police about 2:30 a.m. to report that Hilzer was “acting strange,” a SIU news release said. He had a history of drug use and diabetes, they said.

Two West Richland officers and medics arrived at the home, and Hilzer “became combative,” said the release.

In the struggle, Hilzer tried to hit one of the officers, and he was shocked with a Taser. He was arrested for third-degree assault, and with the help of Benton County deputies, was taken a local hospital before being cleared to be taken to the jail in Kennewick.

He arrived there about 4:15 a.m. and was being held in an area where corrections officers and medical staff could monitor him, the release said.

About 11 a.m., officers realized Hilzer was unresponsive. Corrections officers, medical staff and fire department medics tried to revive him, but he died at the jail.

An autopsy was planned for Wednesday.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Sgt. Ryan Kelly at 509-582-1371 or ryan.kelly@ci.kennewick.wa.us or Sgt. John McCauley at 509-942-7798 or jmccauley@ci.richland.wa.us.