The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two in-custody deaths at the Greensboro Detention Center that occurred within a span of less than two weeks, according to information released by the sheriff’s office.
Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers reported this week that, on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, detention staff discovered Jimmy Wilkerson – a 65-year-old Black man – in medical distress inside his cell.
Wilkerson had been arrested the previous night, Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 10:02 p.m., and processed into the jail in downtown Greensboro on a charge of driving while impaired. He was being held under a $7,500 secured bond pending his initial court appearance.
Wilkerson was transported by detention staff to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. He remained hospitalized, and he later experienced a medical episode that led to his death on Saturday, Jan. 3.
The Sheriff’s Office said that Wilkerson’s next of kin was present at the hospital at the time he died.
As required by protocol, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the local medical examiner are investigating the death.
Three days later, detention staff discovered another inmate unresponsive.
Rogers reported that early Tuesday morning on January 6, detention staff found Nathaniel Rice, a 47-year-old Black man, unresponsive inside his cell at the Greensboro Detention Center.
Emergency Medical Services responded, and Rice was pronounced deceased.
Rice had been arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. and processed into the detention center. He was being held under a $50,000 secured bond pending a future court appearance on charges including first-degree arson, resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer, as well as four counts of malicious conduct by a prisoner involving assault on a government official.
As with Wilkerson’s death, the Sheriff’s Office said the Major Crimes Unit and the medical examiner are investigating.
The two deaths add to a history of in-custody fatalities at the Greensboro Detention Center that have occurred over the years from a range of causes including medical emergencies, suicides and natural causes.
Statewide data shows that deaths in North Carolina county jails remain a persistent issue – even as annual totals have fluctuated in recent years.
Rogers is going to see strong opposition in the coming election and, if more people die this year, his opponents may use it as a form of criticism.
On the other hand, former Republican longtime Sheriff BJ Barnes saw quite a few deaths in jail during his watch and Barnes often pointed out, correctly, that, as a rule, the people held in the jails – often drug addicts or the homeless – are often not in the best health to being with.
Advocacy groups and state reviews have previously identified medical issues, substance withdrawal, suicide and delayed responses to medical distress as common factors in jail deaths across North Carolina.
Jail policies require frequent, in-person welfare checks of inmates, particularly those with known medical or mental health concerns.
No causes of death have been released in either of the recent two cases in the Guilford County jails, pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office said it will release additional information if and when it becomes available.
It will be interesting if the Sheriff’s Office provides more information or that they hope it fades away. The SBI should investigate, and I bet they will find that the Detention Center is not properly staffed and that the number of rounds required are not being done. The Sheriff is responsible for these folks. 1 death is too many and Sheriff Rogers has had what maybe 10 during his almost 8 years. They have nurses on staff, and everyone is evaluated when they come in. I would think they would have a section for people with “bad” health to be more monitored as compared to others. It’s time for a change. William “Billy” Queen has my vote for the new Sheriff. If people would read his background, they would know that he would bring professionalism back to Guilford County and we wouldn’t have to read and hear about all the problems Rogers continues to have.
I’m curious as to why an emphasis was made on the fact that they were both “Black” (with a capital B). Why should it matter what race they were? It’s unfortunate and it’s under Rodgers’ leadership is what matters.
I had the pleasure of speaking to Phil Byrd this past weekend for quite a long time. He has such an amazing outlook for the citizens of Guilford County and the sheriff’s department. I cannot wait for him to beat Danny Rogers! Danny has done nothing but brought this County down with the way he does things. He doesn’t care about the citizens of Guilford County at all. This has been proven time and time again. All he cares about is spending our money on trips to go all over the country. We pay for those trips. He cares about spending $5,000 on a hat. He can go to Boot Barn and buy for $300. But because the citizens pay for it, he doesn’t care about the cost. He is not a sheriff. He is not good for this county. Phil Byrd is! Phil genuinely cares about the citizens of this County and an establishment a relationship between us and them, the sheriff’s department. He wants everybody treated equally. Unlike Danny who has instructed his deputies to not pull black people over unless they had no choice. Time and time again I have heard this from various deputies. Danny is racist and it shows. It’s time for new leadership in our County.
“Don’t hatchet your counts before they chicken.”
Former Sheriff Barnes is correct, those that do enter the legal system are often addicts, alcoholics, and mentally ill, all attributing to a negative outcome. No political gain should be achieved by highlighting a tragedy in our Society.
What happened to taking those w/Alcohol related charges to Detox, did the Regan Administration close those! Same w/Drug intoxication, why no a Detox.