Deputies were called to check the welfare of John E. Heffran. Heffran was combative when deputies attempted to take him into custody for a mental health evaluation, according to police. He remained combative after he was placed in handcuffs until he fell unconscious. Emergency personnel, who were at the scene, transported Heffran to Rockford Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Victim's Name: John Heffran
Agency Responsible: Winnebago County Sheriff's Office
Gender: Male
Age: 58
Race: White
Date of Death: July 26, 2016
County: Winnebago
Cause of Death: Beaten
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Unarmed/Did Not Have an Actual Weapon
Weapon: unarmed
Threat Level: other
Fleeing: Not fleeing
Geography: Suburban