Family Condemns Deadly Police Use-of-Force Incident in Baltimore County

Body cam video shows officer punching man who later died from injuries

Mar. 5, 2026 at 8:23pm

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The family of Samuel "Big Sam" Brown, 56, is calling for justice and condemning the actions of a Baltimore County police officer after the release of body camera footage that captured a deadly use-of-force encounter between Brown and the officer. The incident, which occurred on February 16, is under investigation by the Maryland Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about police use-of-force and the need for de-escalation training, as well as the importance of independent investigations into such cases to ensure accountability and transparency.

The details

The body cam footage shows Officer Derek Hadel, a 9-year veteran, finding Brown asleep at the wheel of his car around 3:30 a.m. After Brown got out of the car, Hadel is seen pushing him, and Brown then shoves the officer's hands down twice before Hadel punches Brown two times. Brown falls to the ground, hits his head, and later dies from his injuries nearly two weeks after the incident.

  • The incident occurred on February 16, 2026 around 3:30 a.m.
  • Brown died nearly two weeks after the encounter with police.

The players

Samuel "Big Sam" Brown

A 56-year-old Baltimore County resident who died after a use-of-force encounter with police.

Officer Derek Hadel

A 9-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department who was involved in the use-of-force incident with Brown.

Maryland Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID)

The state agency currently investigating the incident as required under Maryland law.

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What they’re saying

“He was Big Sam to everyone else, but he was just dad to us. This didn't have to happen. It's wrong, its devestating to all of us. He was loving, he was caring. He was everything we needed him to be.”

— Veesia Brown, Daughter of Samuel Brown

“You can see that Officer Hadel, instead of de-escalating the situation as required by Baltimore County Police Department policy, chose to escalate the situation illegally by sucker punching Big Sam in his face.”

— Billy Murphy, Attorney for the Brown family

What’s next

The Maryland Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) is currently investigating the incident to determine if any charges will be filed against the officer involved.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for continued reform and accountability around police use-of-force, as well as the importance of thorough, independent investigations to ensure justice for victims and their families.