Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office Releases Statement on Inmate Death
Release from Hardeman County Sheriff John Doolen
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, an inmate in the custody of the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office passed away while in custody at the Hardeman County Jail.
The deceased has been identified as Olajuwon Sedale Kemp, who was being held on a Probation Violation originating from Hardeman County General Sessions Court.
On behalf of the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office, I extend my sincere condolences to Mr. Kemp’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. I have personally spoken with members of the family to express my sympathy and to provide the preliminary information available regarding this incident.
Immediately following Mr. Kemp’s death, I notified 25th Judicial District Attorney Mark Davidson, and the appropriate investigative procedures were initiated in accordance with established protocol. Mr. Kemp was transported to the West Tennessee Medical Examiner’s Office in Memphis for an autopsy.
The Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office has since received the Medical Examiner’s preliminary autopsy findings, which indicate the cause of death to be natural causes resulting from complications associated with Parkinson’s disease. We will continue to cooperate fully with the Medical Examiner’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office until the case is formally concluded. Every death occurring within our custody is treated with the utmost respect and seriousness that it deserves.
We are committed to conducting a thorough review of every incident, following all established procedures, and maintaining transparency with the public while respecting the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of the family.
As additional verified information becomes available, it will be released in an appropriate and timely manner.
Please join me in keeping the Kemp family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.
Sheriff John Doolen
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