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Samantha Hayes ReportingA man accused of shooting at his ex-wife and her boyfriend is dead. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's department says the man, who was a former Lehi police officer, hanged himself inside his jail cell.
The sheriff's department says Arthur B. Henderson, 38, was only allowed out of his maximum security cell when accompanied by two officers. Most of the time he was inside the cell, alone. Last night, in between security checks, he took his own life.
At a recent court hearing, Henderson's family said stress is what led up to the shooting that put him behind bars. There was no sympathy from the man Henderson was accused of shooting- his ex-wife's boyfriend.
Craig Trimble, Injured in shooting, March: "I don't want to see him get out because I fear for my safety."
Henderson was a Lehi police officer until he was fired in 2004 for simple assault. In January, officers he once worked alongside say he rammed his pickup truck into his ex-wife's car then shot her boyfriend.
He also fired at them and they fired back, injuring Henderson. At that point, it was obvious to law enforcement he needed a mental evaluation.
Sgt. Paul Jaroscak, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "He spent a week, ten days in Health Services because of suicidal ideation."
After a second evaluation, he was moved to a maximum security cell.
Sgt. Jaroscak: "He's in a cell by himself, and when he's out, he's accompanied by two corrections officers."
The sheriff's department says it did not suspect Hendersen would commit suicide. In fact, a security check was done in his cell 45 minutes before.
Sgt. Jaroscak: "My understanding is he used a bed sheet and tore it into strips and created a situation where he could hang himself."
Efforts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Sheriff's department says about 50 inmates attempted suicide last year. When it does happen, the department says it is difficult for the corrections officers on duty and they are offered therapy.
