December 22, 2021 - Shelby County Sheriff Kevin Windham reports the escape and recapture of an inmate Sunday, December 19, 2021.
According to Sheriff Windham the inmate, Ethan Myers, initially claimed a medical issue when he said he was having difficulty breathing.
"Two of my deputies took him down to the emergency room to be checked out," said Sheriff Windham.
After a medical examination at the emergency room, Myers was determined to be fine and was able to be returned to the jail. Rather than enter the sally port the deputies were going to return Myers through the front door of the Sheriff's Department, which is not unprecedented.
"They had him handcuffed, but he did not have leg irons on and when they opened up the door he took off running," said Sheriff Windham.
According to Sheriff Windham, Myers ran across Hurst Street and through the Brookshire Brothers parking lot. Once on the other side of the parking lot he reached Nacogdoches Street and was running behind houses there. Although he was gaining distance from the jail quickly, the pursuit ended in a short period of time.
"They had him back in custody in five minutes," said Sheriff Windham.
According to Shelby County Jail arrest information Ethan Myers, 25, of Joaquin was arrested on December 10, 2021, for failure to appear in relation to a previous possession of a controlled substance charge. Myers was arrested April 17, 2019, for possession of a controlled substance.
Sheriff Windham expresses gratitude to the Center Police Department for their assistance and local citizens who actively assisted in recapturing Myers.
According to Sheriff Windham, this event has resulted in a review of jail protocols to insure inmates being transported are in leg irons.
