On Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) received a preliminary investigative briefing from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office regarding the death of an arrestee that occurred on Dec. 31, 2025.
Notification of next of kin has been completed, and the decedent can now be publicly identified as Dean Allan Hendricks, a 75-year-old resident of Dayton, Nevada.
In late December 2025, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office received information indicating that Hendricks had previously been convicted of a sexual offense against a minor in Kitsap County, Washington, and had never registered as a convicted sex offender as required by law. Members of the LCSO Sex Offender Task Force contacted Kitsap County authorities and confirmed that Hendricks was convicted in 1982 of Indecent Liberties with a Minor, a charge analogous to Nevada Revised Statute 200.366(b) – Sexual Assault of a Child.
At approximately 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025, members of the LCSO Sex Offender Task Force contacted Hendricks at his residence in Dayton. Hendricks confirmed his identity and acknowledged that he had never registered as a sex offender in Nevada. He was placed under arrest at 2:16 p.m. and handcuffed behind his back. The arresting deputy then escorted Hendricks inside his residence to collect his required medications before placing him in the rear seat of the patrol vehicle for transport. Transport began at 2:31 p.m.
At approximately 2:53 p.m., the arresting deputy arrived at the Silver Springs Substation, located 21.5 miles from Hendricks’ residence. The purpose of the stop was to change Hendricks’ restraints from handcuffs worn behind the back to waist restraints for the remainder of the transport. Stopping at the Silver Springs Substation during transports is a common practice within the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office due to the lengthy travel distances from Dayton and Fernley to the Lyon County Jail in Yerington.
Upon arrival at the substation, the deputy exited the vehicle and immediately opened the rear door to advise Hendricks of the plan to change his restraints. At that time, the deputy discovered Hendricks was unresponsive and not breathing. The deputy immediately removed Hendricks from the vehicle, began lifesaving measures, and requested emergency medical assistance and additional backup within one minute of arriving at the substation.
Central Lyon County Fire Department personnel arrived on scene within approximately six minutes and took over lifesaving efforts. Despite these efforts, Hendricks was pronounced deceased at 3:23 p.m.
The arresting deputy was equipped with a body-worn camera, which was activated and recording throughout the entire contact with Hendricks, including the transport.
Preliminary investigative findings indicate no evidence of foul play, no violation of law, and no violation of Lyon County Sheriff’s Office policy. An autopsy was conducted by the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office; final results are pending.
Pursuant to the Regional Critical Incident Investigation Protocol, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office is conducting the independent investigation into this incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
As additional information becomes available, updates will be released in a timely manner.
