Grand jury exonerates
LCSO Sgt. in Dec. 17 fatal
shooting of Hosford man
by Teresa Eubanks, CLJNews.com
BRISTOL, FL – A Liberty County Grand Jury determined that the shooting death of a Hosford man by a Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy was justified after the state attorney’s office presented its case last week.
During a one-day closed session Feb. 14 at the Liberty County Courthouse, the 21-member jury learned that a single shot killed 34-year-old Christopher Adam “Adam Bomb” Broxton.
The jury heard from several law enforcement officers and investigators. Those speaking to the jury included Tallahassee Police Investigator David Covan, who is described as an expert on use-of-force training for law enforcement officers, and FDLE Agent Larry Shallar, who investigated the shooting. Jurors also heard from other investigators, as well as from family members who witnessed what happened between the deputies and Broxton.
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Acting on a warrant for Broxton’s arrest, Sgt. Heath Cutshaw and Deputy Hunter McDaniel went to Broxton’s home on NE Todd Pullam Road in Hosford to take him into custody on Dec. 17 of last year.
Jurors learned that the deputies arrived to find Broxton standing in his front yard. Broxton then armed himself with a single-barrel shotgun and fled into the woods behind his home. When the two lawmen caught up with him, Broxton pointed a shotgun in their direction as they urged him to give himself up. During the tense scene, “even Broxton’s own family members attempted to convince him to surrender, telling him it was not worth it,” according to the presentment.
Deputy McDaniel tried to fire his taser in an effort to kept the situation from escalating. Broxton responded by turning his gun on him. Sgt. Cutshaw then fired a single shot from his Glock 19 at Broxton to end the standoff. Broxton dropped to the ground when the bullet hit him in the throat.
Both deputies attempted to revive him, continuing CPR efforts until the ambulance arrived. He was pronounced dead at 5:03 p.m.
• • • • •
Jurors were reminded that Florida Statutes state that an officer is justified in the use of any force which he reasonably believes to be necessary to defend himself or another person from bodily harm while making an arrest.
Medical reports showed that Broxton had “extreme levels of methamphetamine, amphetamine and alcohol in his blood and urine,” which may have prompted his decision to aim his weapon at the two lawmen, according to the presentment.
“This case is a good example of the ravages of drug use,” according to State Attorney Jack Campbell. It was noted that long before his death, Broxton had completed training to enter the field of law enforcement before he became addicted to narcotics.
Another issue addressed in the presentment was the fact that there should not have been an active warrant out for Broxton at the time of the attempted arrest and shooting.
“We also are very upset and concerned about the failure of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office to remove Broxton’s warrant from his prior arrest,” according to the presentment. “We will never know if this could have all been avoided if they had merely properly released that warrant. Perhaps Mr. Broxton’s life would have been spared.”
Deputies’ actions recognized
At the end of the hearing, the two responding Liberty County deputies were recognized for their actions that fateful day.
“We thank Sgt. Cutshaw and Deputy McDaniel for their bravery and professionalism. They could have easily been killed and took every possible action to both keep our community safe and spare Broxton’s life,” according to the state attorney.
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Why doesn’t the Liberty County
Sheriff’s Office use body cameras?
by Teresa Eubanks, CLJNews.com
BRISTOL, FL – In the recent grand jury presentment issued last week justifying the use of deadly force in the Dec. 17, 2023 shooting of Christopher Adam Broxton, the State Attorney’s Office recommended that the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office purchase body cameras to document actions taken by deputies during their dealings with the public.
“While we were able to decide this case without them, it would assure more transparency for our community,” according to the presentment issued by the state attorney’s office following last week’s proceedings.
The grand jury agreed that the deputy who fired the fatal shot at the suspect when he pointed a shotgun at another deputy responded as he should have, but the state attorney’s office “strongly urged” that the Liberty County Sheriff’s office buy and require the use of body cams.
The cameras are considered standard equipment in most law enforcement agencies.
So why don’t Liberty County’s deputies have body cams?
It’s not from lack of trying, according to Liberty County Sheriff Buddy Monday.
“We’ve tried three times to get body cameras,” he said. “We want them for deputies as well as the jail staff.”
He acknowledges that grants are available for the equipment but most cover only half the cost – which, in the case of Liberty County’s law enforcement staff – could add up to at least $70,000 for the 30 cameras they need, plus an additional $20,000 to cover the cost of video back up for one year.
He said his office recently learned about a new grant and will try again but there’s no guarantee on how they will fund their part of the bill.
“I hope that the Liberty County Commission – based on the recent grand jury recommendations – will help us get the body cameras we need,” the sheriff said, adding that it’s not only important for his staff but for the county’s citizens as well.
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