Manner of Death for Samuel Brown Ruled Homicide

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The State Medical Examiner's Office has ruled that the manner of death for Samuel Brown, a 56-year-old man who died days after being punched by a Baltimore County police officer, is homicide. Brown was punched by the officer after a call came in for someone asleep at the wheel on February 16th. The Brown family's attorney says body-worn camera footage shows the officer defying use-of-force and de-escalation policies.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about police use of force and the handling of incidents involving individuals who may be in distress or impaired. It also highlights the importance of thorough investigations and transparency around such incidents to ensure accountability and build public trust in law enforcement.

The details

According to the police report, the officer, Derek Hadel, punched Samuel Brown around 3:30 a.m. on February 16th after a call came in for someone asleep at the wheel. Hadel, a nine-year veteran of the department, has been placed on leave by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. The State Medical Examiner's Office has not yet determined the cause of Brown's death.

• On February 16th, 2026, the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m.
• On March 4th, 2026, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General released the body-worn camera video of the incident.
• On March 17th, 2026, the State Medical Examiner's Office ruled the manner of death as homicide.

What’s next

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General is continuing its investigation into the incident, and the officer involved has been placed on leave pending the outcome.