Broome Sheriff: Man Died After Heart Attack at Jail

State officials are investigating the death of a town of Lisle man who had been an inmate at Broome County Jail.

According to Sheriff David Harder, 70-year-old Erford Ellis died around 9 a.m. Thursday as a result of a heart attack.

Harder said correction officers performed CPR but attempts to revive Ellis were unsuccessful. Dr. Teresa Sacco, a county coroner, pronounced Ellis dead at the town of Dickinson jail. His body was transported to Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton. Dr. James Terzian, a medical examiner, performed an autopsy and ruled death was a result of the heart attack.

A judge had committed Ellis to the jail after he had been arrested by New York State Police for menacing and harassment. He was awaiting further court action.

Harder said Ellis had been held at the Front Street facility since December 28.

The New York State Commission of Correction was notified of the inmate's death. The agency investigates all inmate deaths at jails in the state.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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