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Davie Man Dies While In Police Custody

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DAVIE (CBSMiami) – A man died while in police custody. Now, his girlfriend wants to know how it happened.

William Reddix was no stranger to law enforcement.

His arrest history dates back more than 10 years and his final encounter with law enforcement on Friday morning at his Davie apartment complex ended in his death.

Police said Reddix was driving on a revoked license and when they tried to arrest him, he fled.

Reddix's girlfriend Ally Dalton said she was home when Reddix entered the house.

"He came in the house and told me he thinks he's going to jail and he jumped out the back window and swam across the canal and hid," said Dalton.

Neighbors and friends said they heard police shouting for Reddix and about 20 minutes later heard a confrontation between Reddix and the police.

"He was screaming, 'no get off me. It hurts. It hurts. Get off me,' and then a second later it was just quiet," said Jasmin Delgado.

CLICK HERE To Watch Carey Codd's Report 

According to Davie Police, "The suspect fled on foot and was located and apprehended by canine. Once in custody, the suspect began to experience health issues. Davie Fire Rescue transported the suspect to Memorial Pembroke where he expired a short time later."

Reddix's friends and family said he seemed perfectly healthy.

Court and prison records show Reddix has spent time in prison for possessing and dealing drugs.

His most recent drug arrest was just six weeks ago by Davie Police.

His girlfriend said he was working as welder and trying to improve himself for his two children and one on the way.

"He was getting his life in order to change for us and our family so we can live a better life," said Dalton.

Neighbors said Reddix was the type of man who bought school supplies for kids whose parents couldn't afford them. They said they wish that whatever problems Reddix had that he hadn't run from the police.

The Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy on Reddix to determine how he died.

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