Vandals targeted a Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility sign Monday night in protest of a recent death.Someone emailed a picture to WISN 12 News of someone throwing red paint on the sign. In an email the person wrote, "We heard this morning that the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility has claimed another life, so tonight we covered the sign out front with red paint. (expletive) MSDF prison kills." The person was referring to an inmate death on Sunday afternoon. According to police, an inmate told security guards his cellmate passed out. First responders could not revive the 51-year-old man. Officials performed an autopsy on Monday.WISN 12 news spotted staff cleaning the paint off the sign early Tuesday morning. WISN 12 News contacted the detention facility for comment on the vandalism but has not heard back.The inmate who died was identified Tuesday as William Leary, 51, of Milwaukee. State Sen. Lena Taylor released a statement Tuesday afternoon that read in part:“Like many residents, I was frustrated to learn of the death of an area man while in custody at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility. There are systems in place that should prevent unnecessary loss of life and access to prompt medical care when an emergency arises. As we wait for the medical examiner’s report, I encourage patience in the community’s response. We need to understand exactly what happened and why."Taylor went on to write, "I remain concerned about many of the issues that have plagued the facility for years." She said in 18 years of operation, 17 inmates have died at the facility.

Vandals targeted a Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility sign Monday night in protest of a recent death.

Someone emailed a picture to WISN 12 News of someone throwing red paint on the sign. In an email the person wrote, "We heard this morning that the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility has claimed another life, so tonight we covered the sign out front with red paint. (expletive) MSDF prison kills."


The person was referring to an inmate death on Sunday afternoon. According to police, an inmate told security guards his cellmate passed out. First responders could not revive the 51-year-old man. Officials performed an autopsy on Monday.

WISN 12 news spotted staff cleaning the paint off the sign early Tuesday morning.

WISN 12 News contacted the detention facility for comment on the vandalism but has not heard back.

The inmate who died was identified Tuesday as William Leary, 51, of Milwaukee.

State Sen. Lena Taylor released a statement Tuesday afternoon that read in part:

“Like many residents, I was frustrated to learn of the death of an area man while in custody at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility. There are systems in place that should prevent unnecessary loss of life and access to prompt medical care when an emergency arises. As we wait for the medical examiner’s report, I encourage patience in the community’s response. We need to understand exactly what happened and why."

Taylor went on to write, "I remain concerned about many of the issues that have plagued the facility for years."

She said in 18 years of operation, 17 inmates have died at the facility.