Family demands accountability after man dies following police punch

Samuel Brown, 56, died days after being struck by a Baltimore County police officer during a late-night incident.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The family of Samuel Brown, a 56-year-old Owings Mills man well known in the Baltimore music community, is demanding accountability after he died days following an incident where a Baltimore County police officer punched him. Body camera footage shows the officer pushing Brown away and then striking him multiple times, causing Brown to fall and hit his head on the street. The family's attorney says the video shows the officer defying use-of-force and de-escalation policies, and the family wants the officer fired, prosecuted, and sued.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about police use of force and accountability, particularly in incidents involving individuals who may be intoxicated or otherwise vulnerable. The family's calls for justice highlight the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The details

According to the police report, the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on February 16 when a call came in about someone asleep at the wheel in an intersection. Body camera footage shows Officer Derek Hadel, a nine-year department veteran, approaching Brown's car, with Brown then getting out and saying something to the officer. Hadel is seen pushing Brown away, and Brown swiping at the officer's hand twice before Hadel punches him multiple times, causing Brown to fall and hit his head on the street. The family's attorney says Brown suffered a broken jaw, nose, and brain damage that eventually led to his death.

  • The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on February 16, 2026.
  • Samuel Brown died days after the incident.

The players

Samuel Brown

A 56-year-old Owings Mills man who was well known in the Baltimore music community.

Officer Derek Hadel

A nine-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department who was involved in the incident with Samuel Brown.

Deja Brown

Samuel Brown's daughter.

Roberto Silver

A friend of Samuel Brown.

Billy Murphy

The attorney representing the Brown family.

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What they’re saying

“He was Big Sam to everybody else, but he was just dad to us.”

— Deja Brown, Samuel Brown's daughter

“You can see at the time of the attack, Big Sam was obviously drunk. He was defenseless because he was standing still with his arms at his side when he got hit.”

— Billy Murphy, The family's attorney

“Until you're forced to watch our dad, our friend, our brother killed at the hands of a police officer on film over and over again, that's something that we have to live with for the rest of our lives.”

— Roberto Silver, A friend of Samuel Brown

What’s next

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General is investigating the incident, and the family is waiting on the results of that investigation before taking any legal action.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and communities, particularly around issues of use of force and accountability. The family's calls for justice underscore the need for continued reform and oversight to ensure policing practices align with community values and protect vulnerable individuals.