BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — On Friday, with Baltimore County Police Headquarters at their backs, dozens of demonstrators called for charges to be brought forward against officer Derek Hadel.
“Why is Officer Derek Hadel not fired and on administrative leave for committing manslaughter?” a protestor questioned.
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On Feb. 16, Samuel Brown, known by friends and family as ‘Big Sam,’ was confronted by Officer Hadel while he was asleep behind the wheel of a car sitting still at a stoplight around 3:30 am. The officer’s body-worn camera footage shows Brown stumbling out of the car after a conversation with Hadel.
“Get in the car,” Hadel can be heard repeating.
Instead, Brown approached and swiped at the officer. Hadel then hit back, sending Brown to the ground. Brown died days later after suffering permanent brain damage from hitting his head on the pavement.
“That is the exact opposite of what we’re trying to train police to do today,” Billy Murphy, a renowned trial attorney representing Brown’s family, said.
Murphy argued Hadel failed to follow proper de-escalation protocols. The family also questioned why Hadel’s body-worn camera wasn’t turned on sooner to record the entire conversation leading up to the altercation.
Meanwhile, the protest itself raised new questions for Doug Jess, President of the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 4.
“The FOP is not involved in the decision making as to where to host this type of event,” he said.
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Although protestors ultimately came and went peacefully, Jess said the rally’s location posed potential concerns for officer safety and department morale.
“Especially for those working in the building,” Jess said. “And mostly, the officer involved in this situation. That’s who my support is behind and that’s who we’re worried about, is making sure he knows he is supported, not only by us, but by the agency itself as this investigation goes forward.”
While there were early concerns about protestors accessing restrooms inside the building, in a statement to FOX45 News, a department spokesperson said the building remained restricted in line with “normal security procedures.” The spokesperson added, “The property where today’s protest took place is public.”
Hadel’s fate now lies in the hands of the attorney general, who continues to investigate the circumstances of the incident. Until that review is complete, Hadel remains on administrative leave.
“I understand that there was a loss of life, and that is absolutely tragic,” Jess said. “But in my opinion, from what I’ve seen in the video and my experience in training on the job, the officer acted within the training that we provide for that type of situation.”
This comes as Brown’s family argue, if that were the case, “Samuel Brown would still be alive.”
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