Read the latest in our coverage of the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. and other issues in Tarrant County jail.

The executive chief deputy of confinement for the Tarrant County Jail has left the Sheriff’s Office, according to a Wednesday night news release from Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons.

The departure of Charles Eckert, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 32 years, “marks a significant but necessary first step in addressing the alarming rise in jail deaths in the Tarrant County Jail,” Simmons said in the release. The release did not include any details surrounding the circumstances of his separation from the Sheriff’s Office.

A spokesperson for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office could not immediately be reached by phone, text or email for comment.

Eckert’s departure from the jail comes over a month after the death of 31-year-old Marine veteran Anthony Johnson Jr. after a large, heavy jailer put his weight on Johnson’s back with his knee.

Detention Officer Rafael Moreno was fired over the use of force and a supervisor, Lt. Joel Garcia, who filmed footage of part of the altercation was also let go. Both Moreno and Garcia were reinstated last week and placed on administrative leave.

Randy Moore, an attorney representing Garcia, told the Star-Telegram he suspects the reinstatement and immediate assignment to administrative leave indicates the Sheriff’s Office wants to terminate their employment the right way by following civil service rules, something he said wasn’t done when they were initially fired.

Simmons said there is more work to be done to address problems in the jail.

“While the long-time jail chief will be leaving after 32 years, systemic problems within the jail remain,” Simmons said in the release. “The ultimate responsibility for these issues lies with Sheriff Bill Waybourn.”

On May 23, Simmons supported calls for Waybourn’s resignation.

Simmons said Waybourn “must lead the effort to implement meaningful reforms that ensure the safety of those in custody and uphold their civil rights.”

She wrote that she and the other county commissioners also bear responsibility for the deaths and other problems in the jail and must work together to ensure the safety of the facility, the adequate training of staff and that constitutional rights are protected.

On May 16, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office released partial video footage of the moments leading up to the death of Anthony Johnson Jr. on April 21. One video shows Johnson in an altercation with jailers, during which Waybourn said one jailer accidentally pepper sprayed himself. Officers also used pepper spray on Johnson.

A second video shows Moreno put his knee on Johnson’s back while Johnson was already handcuffed. Moreno stayed there for 90 seconds as Johnson made wheezing and gasping noises and at one point said he couldn’t breathe.. When Moreno stood up, Johnson was unresponsive.

Moreno’s attorney has not responded to multiple requests for comment from the Star-Telegram.

Both videos were combined and cut down before they were released. The edited video released by the department was just over 5 minutes. Johnson’s family has said the full version of the video, which they’ve viewed, is around 15 minutes. They said the full version is worse.

Simmons noted that inmates awaiting trial in the jail are presumed innocent until they plead guilty or are convicted of a crime.

“No one should have to fear that a loved one’s arrest for a low-level offense (or any offense) is a possible death sentence,” Simmons wrote. “These people are in our custody and control, and we have a legal and moral obligation to guarantee their well-being.”

She said the commissioners should work together to prevent any further deaths and restore trust in the jail and the county’s justice system.

The funeral for Johnson took place Friday. Three days later another inmate died in Tarrant County Jail custody.