government
Protest Rally/March Over Tarrant County Jail Deaths Set for 8am Tomorrow/Tuesday Downtown
By Anthony Mariani at Fort Worth Weekly
· July 13, 2026
· 3 min read
No one will storm the Tarrant County Jail, but the spirit of Bastille Day will be alive as protesters gather at 8am tomorrow/Tuesday at Belknap Street and 100 N Burnett St to draw attention to all the inmate deaths under the oversight of Sheriff Bill Waybourn since he took office in 2017. Deaths at
Key takeaway Though mostly attributed to natural causes, drug overdoses, suicide, and COVID-19, they all — along with two homicides (Anthony Johnson Jr.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The protest rally and march set for tomorrow will bring attention to a critical issue that has been plaguing Tarrant County for years. With 73 inmate deaths at the Tarrant County Jail since Sheriff Bill Waybourn took office in 2017, the county has one of the highest rates of jail deaths in the state. The recent deaths of four inmates between June and now have sparked renewed calls for investigation and reform, particularly with regards to the jail's medical procedures and protocols. As the rallygoers march up Weatherford Street to the Tarrant County Administration Building, they will be addressing not just the county commissioners, but also the broader community, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in the sheriff's office. The fact that local political candidates will be joining the rally suggests that this issue may become a key point of contention in upcoming elections, and residents should watch to see how the county responds to these demands for change.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Weekly . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Weekly ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? No one will storm the Tarrant County Jail, but the spirit of Bastille Day will be alive as protesters gather at 8am tomorrow/Tuesday at Belknap Street and 100 N Burnett St to draw attention to all the inmate deaths under the oversight of Sheriff Bill Waybourn since he took office in 2017. Deaths at
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by Fort Worth Weekly and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Anthony Mariani at Fort Worth Weekly. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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