In October 2014, Sheriff Steve Kukowski faced charges of reckless endangerment and refusing to perform a public duty following the death of inmate Dustin Irwin. Irwin’s health deteriorated over three days in the Ward County Jail without receiving medical attention, leading to his death. The Department of Corrections found the supervision and medical treatment provided to Irwin to be grossly inadequate. Kukowski was accused of failing to seek medical care for Irwin and maintaining an overcrowded jail. He resigned in April 2017 as part of an agreement that led to the dismissal of the charges against him.
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