Suspect in attack on police officer is found dead in jail cell

A 40-year-old inmate accused of attempting to kill a police officer was found dead in his jail cell in what is believed to have been a suicide, Las Vegas police said Tuesday.

Donald Mason was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on July 16 on recommended charges of attempted murder of a police officer, battery of a police officer and resisting arrest. Police said Mason was found unconscious in his fifth-floor jail cell Monday afternoon.

Because of the serious nature of the allegations against him, Mason was isolated in the cell, police said. Police did not disclose the details of how Mason died.

Mason was accused of stalking a detective who had previously arrested him and ramming the detective's unmarked car into oncoming traffic with a 1994 Toyota sport utility vehicle on July 16, near the Las Vegas Beltway and Jones Boulevard.

After ramming the detective's car, Mason's vehicle flipped over at least once before landing on its wheels, police said. The detective got out of his vehicle to check on Mason, who then attacked the eight-year veteran with a screw driver, police said.

The detective apprehended Mason with the help of a passing motorist. The detective, who was not named, was taken to University Medical Center and was released later that day.

Deputy Chief Leroy Kirkegard said Mason, like all inmates at the detention center, was given a mental health evaluation. The evaluation didn't indicate signs of mental instability. Kirkegard said if Mason's death is ruled a suicide by the Clark County coroner's office, his death will be the fourth suicide in five years at the facility.

The coroner's office had not determined Mason's cause and manner of death Tuesday afternoon. Police said Mason had a long criminal record that included arrests for gross lewdness, domestic violence, driving under the influence and narcotic violations.

Homicide Lt. Lew Roberts said his department will investigate Mason's death. Roberts wouldn't give a timeline for when that will be completed. He said many people would be interviewed, including medical personnel, jail officials and inmates.

"We want to do a thorough and complete job," Roberts said.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.