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: . Like, theres got to be a better way to handle this. Many more people die in car accidents than because of guns and whatnot. Devin Barkalow currently lives in Concord, NC; in the past Devin has also lived in Chesterland OH and Salisbury NC. The LawsuitBottoms lawsuit claims officers used excessive force when they approached her at gunpoint and when they dragged her out of her SUV. 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. I respect and appreciate police officers who uphold the oath to protect and to serve and carry out their duties with a sense of honor, courage and compassion, Dancy said. 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 . In a June 2019 review of the incident, Sgt. CHRISTIAN FERLAN Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Linda McElroy, a spokeswoman for the City of Salisbury, said that Barkalow was hired by the department in 2015 and left the agency in Feb. 2020 to take a job with . Help us to change these archaic laws.. Her lawyers claim the officers reckless actions aggravated an old injury and caused Bottoms shoulder to pop as the officers handcuffed her. The man was later identified as William Scott Kerr, Jr., 31. Law enforcement's handling of the situation was captured on body cameras, and images of their initial approach were included as exhibits in the lawsuit. Sergeant J. Naves believes Master Deputy M. Benfield and Master Deputy M. Smith complied with the Rowan County Sheriffs Office policy and procedures during this incident, the use of force report states. 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. OFFICER DEVIN BARKALOW OFFICER ADAM BOUK CITY OF SALISBURY SHERIFF KEVIN AUTEN PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL MUTUAL CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY Attorney/Law Firm Details Plaintiff Attorney CURTIS SCOTT HOLMES Attorney at BROCK PAYNE & MEECE, PA 3130 Hope Valley Rd. 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. "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. In this conversation. 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. Council members David Post and Brian Miller agreed with the request for data and information about use of force policies, but neither saw a need for a separate public meeting apart from a regular council meeting. The car was stopped when they apprehended her. Lawsuit to be filed against police after Calif. man dies while being restrained by police. Sheriff Kevin Auten is named only in his official capacity as the sheriff and is not alleged to have been involved in the incident. She was cruising northbound on Interstate 85 in her Toyota Sequoia. As she was handcuffed on the side of the road, the officers searched her vehicle and purse without her consent, a warrant, or probable cause which violated Bottom's Fourth Amendment rights, the lawsuit says. She was accused of refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer. The lawsuit denied those allegations. She was "terrified," according to the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle. An sexagenarian Black librarian claims she was assaulted and beaten by police officers and deputies during a traffic stop on a North Carolina highway in May 2019. She is requesting a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages and the costs of court and attorney fees to be covered. Devin Barkalow is 36 years old, and lives in WI. Sifford was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under an additional $500,000 bond. Wed write you a ticket. This should anger all of us.. 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. 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. I'm a diabetic and having high or low sugar around police is a scary thought. Thats not the case in a lot of states. 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. Black said he would like to see an updated mission statement that features language pertaining to people like Bottom, who may only be visiting Rowan County or simply passing through. She had her hands up and was attempting to exit the vehicle, but it was difficult to do so quickly because of her age and medical conditions. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. 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. After Benfields initial attempt to pull Bottom over, a roughly 14-mile chase ensued and ended when law enforcement officers eventually flattening Bottoms tires in Davidson County, The incident report states Benfield commanded the driver to exit the vehicle to which she refused to obey commands several times. Body camera footage. Devin Barkalow M in 2015 was employed in City Of Salisbury and had a reported pay of $12,446 according to public records. 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. The man had been shot twice. 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. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. Bottom, now 68 years old, is a Black librarian. Paramedics were eventually called to the scene. Copyright 2017 WBTV. Police say Sifford is facing multiple drug charges and was also charged with fleeing to elude arrest in a motor vehicle. Bottom is seeking a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as court costs and attorneys fees. 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. In the lawsuit, Bottom says law enforcement officers used excessive force, drew their guns during the stop, pulled her out of the car by her hair and tore her rotator cuff. I dont understand how they do it in Georgia, but thats not how its done here.. "Once it became clear they wanted her to pull over she was afraid and was looking for a safe place to pull over," Holmes told CNN in an email. SALISBURY Following a federal lawsuit filed by a Georgia woman who claims Salisbury and Rowan County officers used excessive force against her in a 2019 traffic stop, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is calling for accountability and transparency from local law enforcement agencies. 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. Benfield and a second cop, Officer Devin Barkalow, then struggle to put handcuffs on Bottom while she lies face-down on the side of the roadway, according to the footage. 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. This was this was a very traumatic thing for her to go through, Mance 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. According to the complaint, Bottom was unarmed and posed no threat. 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. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. Despite that, authorities felt justified in threatening deadly force and physically assaulting the woman because she didnt pull over in a timely manner. against her in a 2019 traffic stop, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is calling for accountability and transparency from local law enforcement agencies. Child Endangerment/abuse-non Serious Inj; Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow Of Air/Blood; Domestic Abuse Assault-Injury Or Mental Illness-1st. He joined the staff in August 2020 after graduating from the University of Alabama. Those we have entrusted to keep us safe. OFFICER DEVIN BARKALOW. The following alternative links are available: Note: this is a bot providing a directory service. Barkalow remembers how female cadets were hazed and harassed back then. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. Carter denied racing to the officer, who observed no signs that the 310-pound defensive lineman had been drinking, according to . The fourth officer named in the lawsuit is Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten. Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. 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. Devin Barkalow M Overview. OMONOMBE, YVINCE WA YEMA. She also said she was playing loud music in her car and didnt realize police were trying to stop her. Once on the ground, officers twisted Bottoms arm behind her back, causing her shoulder to pop, tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury, the lawsuit said. Other sheriffs deputies and police officers joined the chase. Filter by State in . 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. One of the officers named in the lawsuit, Devin Barkalow, declined to comment to the Charlotte Observer but no longer works for the police department. It was late August, Officer Wilson and Detective Devin Barkalow rushed to the 700 block of Second Street where they saw a man leaning up against the front door of a duplex. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. 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. They dont care because its not their emergency. "That was very disturbing . Bottom asks for a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as court costs and attorneys fees. She later had surgery for the injury, but it did not fully repair the shoulder, according to the lawsuit, and now there is permanent damage. Barkalow, who was hired by the department in 2015, left the agency to take a position with federal law enforcement in February 2020, according to Linda McElroy, a spokeswoman for the city of. Following the public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Al Heggins asked the city council to find a way to address the concerns and deliver transparency. 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. When Bottom appeared in court, she pleaded guilty to the failure to heed blue lights charge. A Black woman was allegedly grabbed by the hair and pulled out of her SUV by North Carolina police during a traffic stop in 2019 after she was driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and failed to stop for law enforcement, according to a civil lawsuit filed last week. 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: 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. 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. So they make up the majority of citizens police interactions in a given year. Helping a Hero is a charity that builds specialized homes for injured service members. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. The Black Army officer accused police officers in Windsor, Va., of holding him at gunpoint and pepper-spraying and assaulting him during a traffic stop in December. Didnt want to get thrown out of a car? Authorities scoffed at her explanation, finding it hard to believe she didnt notice them for 10 miles. Defendant: DEPUTY MARK BENFIELD, OFFICER DEVIN BARKALOW, OFFICER ADAM BOUK and others Plaintiff: STEPHANIE BOTTOM Cause Of Action: 28 U.S.C. The video was released to the Charlotte Observer by Bottoms attorneys, but has not been released publicly. We expect complete transparency from law enforcement., Walker said the absence of reprimand only perpetuates the abuse of power that leaves us without justice.. Pretty soon, four male officers were involved in the chase. devin barkalow waiver sent on 4/28/2021, answer due 6/28/2021. They are flat. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. Sign up to receive The Atlanta Black Star Newsletter in your inbox. Devin Barkalow M Overview. In situations like this, theyre so serious. In addition to officers involved in the stop, the lawsuit names Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten and Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company. 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. Bottom said she was driving to Raleigh for a funeral in May 2019 when she was pulled over for speeding and failing to heed to blue lights. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. A subreddit dedicated to people freaking out, melting down, losing their cool, or being weird in public. No one cares about lights and sirens. I Feel So Violated: Wisconsin Car Salesman Urinates on Black Womans Drivers License She Left Behind After Test Drive, This You?: Twitter Calls Out Marjorie Taylor Greene for Ironically Saying People Should Respect Others With Different Views, Joy Reid Rips Apart Scott Adams As the Dilbert Cartoonist Doubles Down on Racist Comments. As she was handcuffed on the side of the road, the officers searched her vehicle and purse without her consent, a warrant, or probable cause which violated Bottom's Fourth Amendment rights, the lawsuit says. [After this point is the edit]: Also its easy to say in pretty much every situation that theres got to be a better way to handle this because its true; but we have time to observe and think without the consequences of being there in person. In the lawsuit, Bottom says law enforcement officers used excessive force, drew their. 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. Bottom pleaded guilty to failing to heed blue lights. Jagger Naves of the Rowan County Sheriffs Office cleared use of force used by deputies during the traffic stop. 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. The fourth officer named in the lawsuit is Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten. 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