← Latest · June 12, 2026 (reports) · Dougherty County / Albany, GA · Coverage Sep. 20, 2026
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Dougherty County — Reports allege paperwork delay as Reeves died
Official Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office reports from June 12, 2026 (Case 26-000642) document that Jeffrey Clayton Reeves, 43, was taken into custody near N. Slappey Blvd. in Albany, told deputies he had ingested drugs, and was later found with seizure-like symptoms in a patrol unit at the jail intake carport — never booked into the jail.
What official reports say:
- Sgt. Michael L. Hefton administered Narcan; jail medical staff refused intake and directed hospital transport
- Intake Sgt. SirBaron Smith wrote that Hefton insisted on non-acceptance paperwork Smith said was not necessary, and that deputies waited about 10–17 minutes for paperwork while Reeves remained in medical distress
- At Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, supplements say Reeves had no detectable pulse when removed from the patrol unit; CPR began; Hefton’s supplement says pulse was later regained; deputies left him in hospital custody
- WALB (Sept. 9–10, 2026) reports bodycam raises questions about custody-death protocol and that Reeves was pronounced dead at Phoebe
Careful framing: Tipster demands that Hefton “should face federal charges” are opinion. Any County News found no federal indictment or criminal charges against Hefton in the Drive packet or news hits reviewed. Printed case status: Information Only.
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Disclaimer: This page is independent news and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any law enforcement or government agency. Information is compiled from publicly available records. An arrest is a matter of public record and does not imply guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Mentions of deputies describe allegations in official reports or news coverage unless a charging document is cited.