OMI finds police played role in death

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - The way Rio Rancho police restrained an out-of-control suspect contributed to the man's death, according to a ruling by the state Office of the Medical Investigator.

In January Rio Rancho officers reported Richard Monarque, 35, was running around the Meadowlark Apartments screaming that dogs were after him.

They struggled to subdue him and cuffed Monarque's hands behind his back while he was on the ground. Monarque stopped breathing and later died.

An autopsy determined other causes also contribution to the man's death. Monarque's death was obese and high on both cocaine and meth, according to OMI.

Medical investigators found that the position officers put the restrained man in interfered with his ability to breathe.

OMI ruled the death accidental.