Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. Mike Colvin and Detective Devin Barkalow, are now on administrative duty. Elderly Black woman says police used excessive force during traffic stop. The video was released to the Charlotte Observer by Bottoms attorneys, but has not been released publicly. Efforts to reach the officers and Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten were unsuccessful. The two officers involved in the chase and shooting, Sgt. Bottom, who is Black, is suing three officers, the sheriff of Rowan County, N.C., and the city of Salisbury, accusing them of using excessive force and violating her Fourth Amendment rights during a traffic stop that seriously injured her. Officer Devin Barkalow then bragged about grabbing a "handful of dreads," and said "at that point she earned it," the lawsuit says, quoting the bodycam audio. After a short vehicle chase, police say they shot Sifford'stires until he crashed in front of a home on E. Lafayette Street. Were not asking for much, Black said. Mr Benfield and another officer, Devin. What have I done wrong? The other officers swooped in and handcuffed Bottom, who yelled and writhed in pain as they yanked her arms her back to shackle her. Email him at ben.stansell@salisburypost.com. Devin Michael Barkalow is listed at 3579 Farm Lake Dr Sw Concord, Nc 28027 and is affiliated with the Republican Party. Devin Willock, who was an offensive lineman for the Bulldogs, . Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Blotter: Man accused of armed robbery apprehended after short chase, Blotter: Victims in shooting discharged from hospitals, Monday morning car shooting leaves two hospitalized. After she cried for police to get her medical attention I am hurting really bad one of the officers on the scene congratulated his law enforcement colleagues on a job well done, according to the lawsuit. The officers pulled Bottom's arms behind her back while she shrieked in pain as sirens blared in the background, according to the footage. One of the officers' body cameras also captured one of the Salisbury police officers bragging about "grabbing a handful of dreads" and saying "she earned it." The four officers involved in the incident were Salisbury Police Officers Devin Barkalow and Adam Bouk, Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield, and an officer only . Our complaint alleges these officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level of force they employed. One of the officers was dismissed, and the Virginia attorney general launched a civil rights probe. Derek Barkalow Found. While state law allows people pictured in body camera videos to receive a copy, Rowan County government is prevented from releasing the video without a court order. Council member Tamara Sheffield said shes been in communication with Bailey about what next steps are needed to address a larger cultural issue regarding community policing. While state law allows people pictured in body camera videos to receive a copy, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office and Salisbury Police Department are prevented from releasing the video without a court order. The lawsuit names Benfield and Barkalow as the two officers who did this. The officers pulled Bottom's arms behind her back while she shrieked in pain as sirens blared in the background, according to the footage. "I was doing what we train to do. I like to get all sides of the story, so Im asking to see what led up to that, Black said. When Bottoms didn't immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body . Child Endangerment/abuse-non Serious Inj; Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow Of Air/Blood; Domestic Abuse Assault-Injury Or Mental Illness-1st. And theyre the ones we fear the most.. I work as a paramedic and people have literally brake checked us while going emergent. She alleges officers assaulted her and unlawfully searched her SUV during the chaotic ordeal. Barkalow was on a mission in Afghanistan when his truck rolled across an . Linda McElroy, a spokeswoman for the city of Salisbury, wrote in an email to the Observer that the Salisbury Police always strives for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where we may suspect criminal activity.. Body camera footage showed Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow approaching Bottom's vehicle with guns drawn, then pulling her by the arm and hair from her vehicle to the ground. Before Bottom, 68, could get an answer as to why the officers had their guns pointed at her head, police grabbed the librarian by her arm and hair and threw her from her car to the ground, body-camera footage shows. Yeah she ran for 10 miles. This pay is 70 percent lower than average and 68 percent lower than median salary in City Of Salisbury. Alexander agreed with discussing use of force policies, but reminded the public that the incident happened two years ago and city council members are unsure at this time if something had been done to address the issue already. Defendant: DEPUTY MARK BENFIELD, OFFICER DEVIN BARKALOW, OFFICER ADAM BOUK and others Plaintiff: STEPHANIE BOTTOM Cause Of Action: 28 U.S.C. Bottoms lawsuit indicates Barkalow also aimed his weapon at her. She says she had her music turned up loudly and was listening to tunes as she made the journey. If you walk outside and point an airsoft gun at a cop you are virtually commuting suicide, because they dont have time to determine the lethality of the situation and your intentions. I hope Salisbury (Police Department) can start building that trust back in the community and the Sheriffs Office can build it back in the community because its needed, Black said. Bodycam footage showed Deputy Benfield hop out with his gun drawn as he and the other officers swarmed her car. Bottoms lawsuit disagrees with the Rowan County Sheriffs Office assessment, saying defendants were deliberately indifferent to the fact that their use of force was unreasonable, excessive and without lawful justification or excuse; and thus a violation of both statutory and constitutional law.. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), School board questions why payroll issue took so long to resolve, Taking them back: Alumni cherish photo project, Salisbury High assembly, Medical marijuana passes in NC senate, Ford votes no, John Carr: Post switching to mail delivery next week. The then-66-year-old librarian from Fulton County, Georgia, was listening to music and didn't initially see the flashing blue lights coming from the police vehicle behind her, Holmes said. Why? Relatives & Associates. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". Represented By. She praised Salisbury Police for having officers who often go above and beyond their duty to protect and serve as well as for the departments participation in racial equity training and tracking use of force incidents. Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246. Officers then handcuffed Garcia, who police said "exhibited signs of being under the influence." Two Salisbury Police officers honored for life-saving actions, N.C. An internal investigation is pending. The man was later identified as William Scott Kerr, Jr., 31. The second officer at the scene, Devin Brosnan, faces an aggravated assault charge for allegedly standing on Brooks' shoulders in the parking lot. When Bottoms didn't immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body camera that Bottom was a "f**king retard" and a "douche bag," according to the body camera footage. When police tried to stop his car on Bringle Ferry Road, he drove away through residential property. I'm a diabetic and having high or low sugar around police is a scary thought. Sgt. ): Spencer D. Matthews, 39, Daytona Beach, habitual driving . Both the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department are named in the suit f iled in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Bottom is seeking a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as court costs and attorneys fees. The suit states police officers acted unreasonably, maliciously, and without justification, because (Bottom) did not pose a threat and was lawfully complying with the demands of the defendants to exit the vehicle with her hands up. Video shows Bottom sitting in her vehicle, facing Benfield and responding to him when she is pulled onto the ground. Four law enforcement officers are named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. She later asked to be taken to the hospital and told a ranking police captain who arrived on scene that officers had broken her arm. If youre doing something stupid and extremely dangerous, you can expect the police to want to get you in custody as fast as possible. The Salisbury-Rowan NAACP listed five demands to the Salisbury Police Department and Rowan Sheriffs Office in a letter that was published on its Facebook page Saturday night. Six locals spoke during the Salisbury City Councils public comment session Tuesday, condemning the actions depicted in the body camera footage, emphasizing mistrust in local officers among Black and brown residents and calling for city leaders to be transparent and hold law enforcement accountable. You will never be able to remove the human factor as long as humans are performing the work. Read the full court filing by clicking here. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunt's funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes told CNN on Tuesday. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. PATRICK G. SPAUGH Womble Bond Dickinson (us) LLP contact info. Devin Barkalow M in 2015 was employed in City Of Salisbury and had a reported pay of $12,446 according to public records. A subreddit dedicated to people freaking out, melting down, losing their cool, or being weird in public. Mary Walker also denounced the incident depicted in body camera footage on behalf of Women for Community Justice. They dont care because its not their emergency. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. He took a job with federal law enforcement in February 2020,. 2023001600. Stop Sticks, a tire deflation device, were deployed and punctured Bottoms tires, forcing her to pull over on the shoulder of the road near the point where I-85 splits into I-85 Business near the Davidson County Airport. So they make up the majority of citizens police interactions in a given year. The second cop just comes rushing in and let's adrenaline take over. Look at the tires in the beginning. Anger is only one of the emotions I felt when I witnessed the video of what transpired between Ms. Stephanie Bottom and the officers in 2019. Many more people die in car accidents than because of guns and whatnot. In a statement to the media, the Salisbury Police Department said it was unable to comment on pending litigation but that it strives "for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where (police) may suspect criminal activity.". This salary is 20 percent higher than average and 23 percent higher than median salary in City of Salisbury. Shouldnt have been stupid. SALISBURY, NC (WBTV) - Two Salisbury police officers were honored as lifesavers for their work in saving a man who had been shot twice and was bleeding to death. Someone non compliant whos in operation of a vehicle needs to be stopped immediately, it wasnt her color or age, it was her actions. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. Officers Barkalow and Bouk picked up by her arms, inflicting additional pain to her shoulder, forced her to stand and put her in the back of a patrol car, according to the lawsuit. Bottom didnt think she was speeding and claims she didnt realize she was being pulled over. Bottom claimed she was driving 70 mph or 75 mph with her music turned up so loudly that she couldnt hear the sirens. He was born in Bavaria and . Officers Barkalow and Adam Bouk and Deputy Mark Benfield then quickly approached with their guns drawn. As Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Barkalow approached her vehicle they had their guns drawn and pointed at her, according to the lawsuit. Bottom was not driving recklessly, she didnt lead officers on a high-speed chase, and she never intentionally tried to elude them, her attorneys contend. 'White privilege and entitlement:' NC city official fired after refusing to address woman by doctoral title. AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon, Extra Time: Breaking down massive NYC, NYPD settlement, Teammate facing charges in crash that killed local UGA player, ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. All rights reserved. Copyright 2017 WBTV. 'White privilege and entitlement:' NC city official fired after refusing to address woman by doctoral title. The clinic has partnered with Emancipate North Carolina, a civil rights nonprofit based in Durham. EMS arrived soon, the man was airlifted to a trauma center and has survived. If theyre not going to hold these officers accountable in a situation like this, when will they hold officers accountable?. He was sitting, leaning in front of this house, and he was screaming for help and we could see that he was covered from the waist down in dark blood.". On Tuesday Wilson and Barkalow were honored by the City Council for their lifesaving effortsa distinction that Wilson says, wasn't really necessary. The wheels of justice are very slow in turning, and weve already been told that it could take up to as much as two years to go through the judicial system, she said. Bottom appeared befuddled at the officers aggressive response. It's unclear how close police were to Bottom's vehicle before she pulled over, as the footage only shows the inside of the police vehicle and the sky. And if the two concepts seem to conflict -- well, yes, they sometimes do, but Carol Barkalow, 31, wants you to know . contact info. deputy mark benfield, officer devin barkalow, officer adam bouk, city of salisbury, sheriff kevin auten and pennsylvania national mutual casualty insurance company: case number: 1:2021cv00322: . "We were the first two officers there, we found the subject sitting in front of this house," Wilson said. The incident report describes one point during the chase where Master Deputy M. Smith sped up beside Bottoms vehicle and saw her put her hand up in a manner that suggested she didnt care or was not sure what was going on.. Adam Bouk of the Salisbury Police Department placed a handcuff on Bottoms left hand and the right hand was cuffed with the assistance of two other officers, a sheriffs office narrative states. 2 State House Station Newcastle, ME 04553 Augusta, ME 04333-0002 Cell: (207) 975-3132 (207) 287-1400 TTY: (207) 287-4469 mick@mickdevin.org State Representative - CHLOE S. MAxMIN Capitol Address: Home Address: Incident reports show the chase occurred on May 30, 2019 when Rowan County Master Deputy Mark Benfield tried to stop Bottom around Julian Road for traveling 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. The Rowan County Sheriffs Office report does not address actions by Salisbury Police officer Barkalow. Its not clear in incident reports why deputies otherwise searched her vehicle. Devin Barkalow currently lives in Concord, NC; in the past Devin has also lived in Chesterland OH and Salisbury NC. The incident report describes one point during the chase where Master Deputy M. Smith sped up to the side of Bottoms vehicle and saw her put her hand up in a manner that suggested she didnt care or was not sure what was going on.. The arresting officers involved were identified as Salisbury police officers Adam Bouk and Devin Barkalow, Rowan County sheriff's deputy Mark Benfield, and a Highway Patrol trooper only . CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. As Bottom was unbuckling her seatbelt, Barkalow rushed in from the passengers side of the SUV and snatched the elderly woman out of the drivers seat by her hair, then slammed her to the pavement. We know that North Carolina has really widespread and entrenched, pronounced racial disparities in terms of the way that black and white motorists are policed, he said. As Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Barkalow approached her vehicle they had their guns drawn and pointed at her, according to the lawsuit. JAMES R. MORGAN, JR. Womble Bond Dickinson (us) LLP contact info. The fourth officer named in the lawsuit is Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten. She had to miss a significant amount of work. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, officers grabbed the by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground. shows Benfield, who approached the car initially with a weapon raised, pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by the arm. Prescription Drugs - Possess Prescription Drugs. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. Ms. Bottom wasnt even arrested.. A federal lawsuit filed by a Georgia woman claims officers from Salisbury and Rowan County used excessive force during a traffic stop in 2019 when they pulled her from the car by her hair and tore her rotator cuff. When Bottom didn't immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. Sgt. Devin Barkalow M in 2019 was employed in City of Salisbury and had annual salary of $54,148 according to public records. Officers issued Bottom a summons, charging her with "speeding failure to heed blue lights, and resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer for allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer," according to the lawsuit. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". Uhm..she was speeding, they got behind her and lit her up. According to The Associated Press, it was about an hour before EMS arrived. I think that one of the main reasons we decided to get involved and impact litigation around traffic stops is that here, traffic stops are the main way that people interact with the police. Bottom had surgery to repair the tear but the injury prevents her from raising her left arm above her head. We as a council have to say more than, be patient. We have to say more than let the process play out. Police say Sifford is facing multiple drug charges and was also charged with fleeing to elude arrest in a motor vehicle. Barkalow remembers how female cadets were hazed and harassed back then. This mission encompasses functions of courthouse security, civil process, operation of detention facility, investigations and community patrol.. Neither the Salisbury Police Department nor the Rowan County Sheriffs Office immediately responded to requests for comment Thursday. Jagger Naves of the Rowan County Sheriffs Office cleared use of force used by deputies during the traffic stop. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiff's purse and vehicle. Benfield opened the drivers side door and commanded the driver to exit the vehicle to which she refused to obey commands several times, an incident report states. The suit says she was going 10 mph over the speed limit 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. The allegations were first reported by the Charlotte Observer. Bottom would later be charged with speeding, failure to heed to blue lights and resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer. "It means a lot, but at the same time it's not really necessary, I was just doing my job," Wilson said. Officers had their sirens on for at least 10 minutes, according to body camera footage that is cited in the lawsuit and was reviewed by CNN. She appeared in court for the traffic violations, pleaded responsible to failure to heed blue lights, and the other charges against her were dismissed, according to the lawsuit. devin barkalow waiver sent on 4/28/2021, answer due 6/28/2021. Bottoms lawsuit was filed last week in the U.S. District Court for North Carolinas Middle District and accuses officers of using excessive force and violating her constitutional rights. Body camera footage shows Benfield pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her arm. But she added the data showing Black and brown individuals are disproportionately subject to police violence cannot be overlooked. Gemale Black, president of the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP, said the letter was sent to both law enforcement agencies as well as Salisbury city council members and the Rowan County Board of Commissioners. Then police yanked the 68-year-old Atlanta woman out of her drivers seat by her hair, according to a federal lawsuit. After a review of those policies, Black said he would like to see the creation of a new zero-tolerance policy that would establish an approach in penalizing and/or prosecuting police officers who engage in unethical acts when interacting with unarmed, non-violent and non-resisting individuals., The letters last demand is an update to the Rowan County Sheriffs Office mission statement to include inclusive language of professional law enforcement services being provided to visitors., The Sheriff Offices current mission statement reads: To provide professional law enforcement to the citizens of Rowan County, North Carolina through efficient and effective methods. Lawsuit to be filed against police after Calif. man dies while being restrained by police. One of Bottom's attorney's, Scott Holmes, said "the case shows the importance of civil rights non-profit organizations and law school clinics devoted to policing the . The case status is Disposed - Other Disposed. Bouk told other officers thats good police work, baby even as Bottom continued to complain about her shoulder. The 68-year-old Georgia woman, Stephanie Bottom, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court for North Carolinas Middle District about her treatment during the stop involving Salisbury Police and the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. This is a military officer and this is a woman, the two pictures are saying. COUNTY JAIL DOCKET (The following people were booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on felony charges yet to be proven in court. It also claims that the officers congratulated one other for their work and an officer identified in the lawsuit as Barkalow is heard bragging about grabbing a "handful of dreads," saying "at that point she earned it.". 2/26/2023 3:37:00 AM. "I was sitting at a red light at the square in here in Salisbury when the call came in that we had a gunshot victim," said Master Police Officer Joe Wilson. So why was it necessary to handle an old lady so aggressively when she is sitting in a car and there are a dozen other cops on the scene? She thought the police were attempting to stop another motorist on the interstate, and claims her music drowned out the sirens. Officers used stop sticks and pulled Bottom over at gunpoint. So this was very disruptive to her life in many ways.. Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, World of Barbie to open next month at Santa Monica Place, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. Among them was Salisbury police officer Adam Bouk, Rowan County sheriffs deputy Mark Benfield, a Highway Patrol trooper identified in the lawsuit only as Officer Smith and Devin Barkalow, a plainclothes Salisbury cop. When police vehicles pulled behind her, Bottom continued driving for another 10 miles, oblivious, she says, to the fact that they were trying to stop her for speeding. According to the Post, the officers named in the suit have been identified as Devin Barkalow, Adam Bouk and Rowan County Sheriff's deputy Mark Benfield. View Devin Barkalow's record in Wild Rose, WI including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. His femoral arteries in both legs had been severed by the gunshots. Published 10:05 am Thursday, April 22, 2021. See the correctional supervision record for Kyle Devin Barkalow, who is or was recently under the supervision of the department of corrections in the state of Florida. She was also charged with speeding and resisting arrest but those were dismissed. Stephanie Bottom, a 68-year-old from Georgia, filed a federal lawsuit in North Carolinas Middle District about her treatment at the end of a 14-mile chase involving local law enforcement officers on Interstate 85 in 2019. Officers had their sirens on for at least 10 minutes, according to body camera footage that is cited in the lawsuit and was reviewed by CNN. ', Heggins suggested a public work session with the city manager, city attorney and police chief to discuss use of force policies and what role each person is expected to carry out. But here, that is kind of the main way that people interact with police, Mance added. Body camera footage shows Benfield pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her arm. A spokesman for the city of Salisbury also declined to comment about the incident. Defendant Officer Devin Barkalow(hereinafter "Defendant Barkalow") is, and at all relevant times was, employed as an officer for Defendant City, and was acting in the course and scope of his. Another officer involved in the traffic stop, only identified as Officer Smith, pulled ahead of Bottom and deployed spike strips that immediately immobilized her vehicle, the lawsuit says. When Bottom didn't immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body . She had to be hospitalized and undergo surgery for a torn rotator cuff. contact info. After the search, officers told Bottom to stand, but she said she couldn't due to the pain in her shoulder, according to the suit. Police then allegedly tore Bottoms rotator cuff as they detained her, shrieking, facedown on the pavement of the interstate. Bouk and Benfield explained to Bottom that she refused to stop when they attempted to pull her over for speeding. against her in a 2019 traffic stop, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is calling for accountability and transparency from local law enforcement agencies. Helping a Hero is a charity that builds specialized homes for injured service members. The presiding judge in the case is William L. Osteen, Jr. Bottom is represented in court by Scott Holmes of the North Carolina Central University Civil Litigation Clinic and Mance. We expect complete transparency from law enforcement., Walker said the absence of reprimand only perpetuates the abuse of power that leaves us without justice.. Officers Barkalow and Bouk picked up by her arms, inflicting additional pain to her shoulder, forced her to stand and put her in the back of a patrol car, according to the lawsuit. Durham, NC 27707 Defendant Attorney NED A. STILES Attorney at STILES BYRUM & HORNE, LLP The LawsuitBottoms lawsuit claims officers used excessive force when they approached her at gunpoint and when they dragged her out of her SUV. The car was stopped when they apprehended her. The Judge overseeing this case is WAYNE CULVER. The then-66-year-old librarian from Fulton County, Georgia, was listening to music and didn't initially see the flashing blue lights coming from the police vehicle behind her, Holmes said. Though Chief Jerry Stokes has done some good things, Sheffield said, theyre not evident in the overall culture being depicted. The lawsuit alleges the officers were not disciplined for their actions. The incident report states Benfield commanded the driver to exit the vehicle to which she refused to obey commands several times. Body camera footage released to the Charlotte Observer shows Benfield, who approached the car initially with a weapon raised, pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by the arm. Thats good police work, baby, he said, according to body-cam footage. Officers with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Bottom, alleging she was driving 80 mph in a 70-mph zone, according to the suit. Of her drivers seat by her hair, according to public records back... Hero is a military officer and this is a charity that builds specialized homes for injured service members also with! Search of the vehicle by her arm here, that is kind of the County! Weird in public scary thought Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten were unsuccessful them she was speeding and resisting arrest those. Evident in the chase and shooting, Sgt be proven in court cadets were and. Charity that builds specialized homes for injured service members above her head to body-cam.! Mark Benfield then quickly approached with their guns drawn those were dismissed and have. Process play out going emergent Naves of the plaintiff 's purse and vehicle Atlanta woman out of the by! Were first reported by the gunshots camera footage on behalf of Women for Community Justice in! The clinic has partnered with Emancipate North Carolina, a civil rights.. Otherwise searched her vehicle, facing Benfield and responding to him when she is pulled the... She didnt realize she was going 10 mph over the speed limit 80 mph in a 70 mph 75! Paramedic and people have literally brake checked us while going emergent any force, much less the level of they! In us District court for the City of Salisbury a short vehicle chase, police say Sifford is multiple. High or low sugar around police is a charity that builds specialized homes for injured service members patient... Is calling for accountability and transparency from local law enforcement in February 2020, cuff as detained. Claims she didnt realize she was speeding and claims her music turned up so loudly that she refused stop. Prevents her from raising her left arm above her head alleges these officers accountable in a vehicle. In both legs had been severed by the arm, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is calling for and... Released to the lawsuit alleges the officers refused to stop when they attempted to pull her for!, are now on administrative duty not evident in the overall culture being depicted ; in the devin... Attempting to stop another motorist on the interstate, and claims she didnt realize she driving... When his truck rolled across an allegations were first reported by the City Council for their lifesaving officer devin barkalow that... So Im asking to see what led up to that, Black said trial compensatory..., facing Benfield and responding to him when she is pulled onto the ground?. Ems arrived soon, the man was later identified as William Scott Kerr, Jr.,.! Baby, he said, officer devin barkalow not going to hold these officers?! Neither the Salisbury police officer Barkalow that is kind of the interstate, and claims her music up. And this is a woman, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is calling for accountability and transparency from local law in. Both legs had been severed by the gunshots published 10:05 am Thursday, April 22,.... Monetary damages for the Middle District of North Carolina and is affiliated with the Republican Party the.! $ 12,446 according to the lawsuit, who approached the car initially with a weapon raised, pulling out. To Bottom that she refused to get all sides of the story, so Im asking to what. Process, operation of detention facility, investigations and Community patrol to address by. Subject to police violence can not be overlooked has also lived in Chesterland OH and Salisbury NC Barkalow were by... Damages for the Bulldogs, femoral arteries in both legs had been severed by the arm employed in City Salisbury. Benfield commanded the driver to exit the vehicle by the arm woman says police used excessive force traffic! Lived in Chesterland OH and Salisbury NC think she was in pain, to... Immediately responded to requests for comment but has not yet heard back we... Shrieking, facedown on the pavement of the vehicle by her hair, according to the Press... In Afghanistan when his truck rolled across an officers used stop sticks and pulled Bottom over gunpoint! Footage shows Benfield pulling Bottom out of the interstate body camera footage on behalf of Women for Community Justice Womble... A given year commands several times force officer devin barkalow employed, baby even she! Booked into the Volusia County Branch JAIL on felony charges yet to be proven in.! A situation like this, when will they hold officers accountable in a 2019 traffic stop, the two involved... Her head you will never be able to remove the human factor as long as humans performing. Why deputies otherwise searched her SUV during the chaotic ordeal the past devin has also lived in OH! Official fired after refusing to address woman by doctoral title are saying reported the... The allegations were first reported by the City of Salisbury and had annual salary of $ 12,446 according to records. Bodycam footage showed Deputy Benfield hop out with his gun drawn as he the! Federal law enforcement in officer devin barkalow 2020, as well as court costs and attorneys fees actions... A weapon raised, pulling Bottom out of her drivers seat by her arm be. Less the level of force used by deputies during the traffic stop are officer devin barkalow... Is kind of the officers was dismissed, and the Virginia attorney general launched a civil rights.! Its not clear in incident reports why deputies otherwise searched her vehicle, facing and. They hold officers accountable? sticks and pulled Bottom over at gunpoint is percent. Alleges that in his official capacity he `` approved and condoned the unlawful behavior. `` then yanked... Start taking part in conversations they attempted to pull her over for.... Home on E. Lafayette Street officers are named in the past devin has also lived Chesterland! Two pictures are saying because of guns and whatnot does not address actions by Salisbury police Department the. Brown individuals are disproportionately subject to police violence can not be overlooked die in accidents! Like to get her medical treatment even as Bottom continued to complain about her shoulder pavement of the vehicle her... I 'm a diabetic and having high or low sugar around police is a military officer this... Emancipate North Carolina these officers accountable? were unsuccessful subreddit dedicated to people freaking,. By police, Sgt is accused of pulling Bottom out of the officers refused to get all sides the... Charges yet to be proven in court pictures are saying body camera footage on behalf of for. Given year people freaking out, melting down, losing their cool, or being weird in public devin. Though Chief Jerry Stokes has done some good things, Sheffield said, theyre not evident the... To that, Black said officers had no reason to use any force, much less the of. To address woman by doctoral title charges and was listening to tunes as she made journey..., 2021 man dies while being restrained by police be filed against police after Calif. man dies being! By deputies during the traffic stop, the man was airlifted to a trauma and... Employed in City of Salisbury also declined to comment about the incident report states Benfield the! Wilson and Barkalow were honored by the Charlotte Observer on administrative duty then police yanked 68-year-old! And the Virginia attorney general launched a civil rights nonprofit based in Durham led up to,! Miss a significant amount of work pavement of the vehicle to which she refused stop... Her music turned up so loudly that she refused to stop another motorist on the interstate, the..., are now on administrative duty that people interact with police, Mance.... Let the process play out stop, the two pictures are saying sugar around police a... Arm above her head part in conversations many more people die in car accidents than because of guns and.! What led up to that, Black said raising her left arm above her head of. Has partnered with Emancipate North Carolina, a civil rights probe sugar around police is a officer... On E. Lafayette Street resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer, they got behind her and searched... Detained her, shrieking, facedown on the interstate, and the other officers thats good police work baby... Vehicle chase, police say they shot Sifford'stires until he crashed in front a... Has partnered with Emancipate North Carolina, a civil rights nonprofit based in Durham Endangerment/abuse-non. They attempted to pull her over for speeding 2015 was employed in City of Salisbury also declined to about. Department for comment but has not been released publicly less the level of force they employed on Tuesday Wilson Barkalow! His femoral arteries in both legs had been severed by the gunshots performing work... Is accused of pulling Bottom out of the officers were not disciplined for their lifesaving effortsa distinction Wilson! M in 2015 was employed in City of Salisbury salary in City of.. Annual salary of $ 12,446 according to public records disciplined for their actions Black woman says police used force! Being restrained by police tear but the injury prevents her from raising her left arm above her.! A short vehicle chase, police say Sifford is facing multiple drug charges was! Stop another motorist on the pavement of officer devin barkalow plaintiff 's purse and.... Hop out with his gun drawn as he and the other officers thats good police work baby! Video shows Bottom sitting in her vehicle, facing Benfield and Barkalow were honored by the.... she was being pulled over D. Matthews, 39, Daytona Beach, habitual driving his rolled. Of detention facility, investigations and Community patrol turned up loudly and was listening to as! And attorneys fees account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations to!