Family alleges officers left Shelby County inmate to die
Russell McDaniel looks at a picture on Nov. 14, 2025 of his son, Rockez, who died while in custody at 201 Poplar. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
In a lawsuit, the family of Rockez McDaniel alleges that staff, nurses and others are responsible for his death after he was pepper-sprayed by officers at the Shelby County Jail in 2025.
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Rockez McDaniel 201 Poplar Shelby County Sheriff’S Office jail death pepper spray useJody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
Aarron Fleming
Once an intern, he never left, joining the staff full-time in 2022 as an education reporter. He moved to public safety in 2023, where he covered some of the city’s biggest court cases, including the criminal trials for those charged in the deaths of Tyré Nichols and rapper Young Dolph. He also chronicled the Shelby County Jail and the deaths that have occurred at the facility.
He now provides suburban coverage, focusing on DeSoto County and the surrounding municipalities.
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