Suffolk County Man Dies in Police Custody: AG Investigates

WYANDANCH, NY – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) is now formally investigating the death of Henry Sanders, a Suffolk County resident who died August 1, 2024, after an encounter with the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD). The case, already shrouded in questions, promises a hard look at police procedures and potential misconduct.

According to authorities, SCPD officers responded to multiple 911 calls at approximately 10:22 a.m. on August 1st, converging on a store located at North 15th Street and Merritt Avenue in Wyandanch. They encountered Sanders, took him into custody, and shortly thereafter, he became unresponsive. Emergency Medical Services transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Attorney General’s OSI is mandated by New York State Executive Law Section 70-b to investigate any incident where a law enforcement officer – be it police, peace officer, or corrections officer – may have caused a person’s death, through action or inaction. The law casts a wide net, covering both on-duty and off-duty officers, armed or unarmed individuals, and those in or out of custody. This isn’t a simple internal review; it’s a full-blown, independent investigation.

While OSI began a preliminary assessment of Sanders’ death immediately after the incident in August 2024, the office stated that the recent emergence of new information triggered the escalation to a formal investigation. Details of this “new information” have not been released, fueling speculation and demands for transparency. Grimy Times will be pressing for those details.

This isn’t the first time the SCPD has faced scrutiny. The department has a history of complaints regarding excessive force and questionable tactics, and this investigation will undoubtedly re-open old wounds and put pressure on current leadership. The stakes are high, and the public deserves answers about what happened to Henry Sanders.

The Attorney General’s office emphasized that these are preliminary facts and are subject to change as the investigation unfolds. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case closely, providing updates as they become available. The question remains: will this investigation lead to accountability, or will it become another statistic in the long list of unanswered questions surrounding police conduct in Suffolk County?

RELATED: No Charges Filed in Gucciardo Parking Lot Death