LOCAL DEPUTY SAVES A JAIL INMATE ATTEMPTING SUICIDE

A Morongo Basin Sheriff’s deputy saved a Twentynine Palms man who attempted suicide in the Morongo Basin Jail November 30. According to a Sheriff’s press release, deputies made a traffic stop about 1:15 p.m. November 30 near Split Rock Avenue and Joshua Drive in Twentynine Palms. Inside the car was Daniel Rachal, 25, of the 4500 block of Adobe Road, who originally gave deputies a false name. Once deputies learned his true identity, Rachal fled and was captured after a short foot pursuit. While Rachal was being booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, deputies determined he was a fugitive from Colorado and was violating the terms of his parole. In 2008, Rachal pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder when his companion shot and killed another man in Grand Junction in 2007. About three hours after being booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, Deputy Christopher Jones was conducting a security check of inmates and discovered Rachal had made a noose with his bedsheet and was attempting to hang himself. Jones lowered Rachal and performed life-saving measures to revive him. Rachal was then taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center for treatment. Daniel Rachal was later moved to West Valley Detention Center pending extradition to Colorado.