The death of a Virginia man, restrained while in jail, has been officially classified as a homicide. Local authorities reported that the deputies involved in the incident are no longer part of the sheriff’s office.

According to news reports in southeastern Virginia, 34-year-old Rolin Hill passed away several days after being detained at the Virginia Beach jail back in June.

Hill was taken into custody on charges that included trespassing, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, as detailed by the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office. At the time of his arrest, it was noted that Hill was denied bail and subsequently brought to the jail, where he reportedly became difficult and confrontational.

While being restrained, Hill suffered a medical emergency which led to him being transported to a hospital, as stated by the sheriff’s office in June. Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb announced that an internal investigation was launched, along with a request for the Virginia State Police to carry out an independent inquiry.

Donna Price, a representative for the Tidewater Medical Examiner’s Office, informed local media that Hill’s death was caused by “positional and mechanical asphyxia due to restraint with neck and torso compression.”

On Friday, Sheriff Holcomb confirmed that, based on information gathered from the Virginia State Police, the deputies implicated in the incident had their employment with the sheriff’s office terminated.

The Sheriff expressed his dedication to ensuring justice and maintaining transparency, explaining that he had sought an independent investigation by the state police as soon as he was made aware of the events that transpired on June 4. He extended condolences to Hill’s family during this challenging period.

Investigation efforts by state police and the Virginia Beach prosecutor’s office remain active concerning Hill’s passing. A spokesperson for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Macie Allen, stated that they will conduct a thorough review of the findings once the state police complete their report.

In reports from June, local news outlet WAVY-TV noted that the Virginia Beach chapter of the NAACP had expressed concerns regarding the conditions surrounding Hill’s death.

A recently published obituary for Hill indicated that he was an Eagle Scout who enjoyed surfing, skateboarding, and spending time with family. Furthermore, the obituary highlighted that “mental health in America is still a major issue,” and encouraged those interested to donate to mental health organizations.