Navy Times: “Navy denies malpractice claim filed by family of sailor who killed himself in military jail”
Published in: Navy Times
Author: Geoff Ziezulewicz
Publication date: October 18, 2021
Macoy Hicks was a US Navy sailor. In 2019, he took his own life in the military brig (Northwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility) at Joint Base Lewis McChord. He is survived by his exceptional parents and sister who subsequently established Hicks Strong. Their mission is to save military lives by connecting service members in need of mental health services with therapists via telehealth and covering the cost of their sessions.
Macoy’s death, and the facts and circumstances preceding it, reflect an avoidable tragedy. The evidence revealed Macoy’s command ignored the advice of military medical providers and several others, ultimately electing to address Macoy’s mental breakdown with 25 days of confinement in the brig. Other sailors around Macoy at that time knew he was in crisis. The command and licensed military medical providers ignored Macoy’s needs and it cost him his life. The medical malpractice claim that Mike Berens and Darrin Bailey filed on Macoy’s behalf was adjudicated by the Navy. Some evidence referenced in related law enforcement reports was never produced by the government. History reflects that agencies like the Navy are in no position to police themselves. The claim and the appeal were denied by the Navy – despite the overwhelming evidence of dereliction, negligence, and malpractice. The commander responsible for placing Macoy in the brig, and ignoring warnings from others, was promoted.
