Family demands justice after Baltimore County man dies after being punched by police officer in violent encounter

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BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WARNING GRAPHIC DETAILS) — The family of Samuel “Big Sam” Brown, a 56‑year‑old Owings Mills man well known in Baltimore’s music community, is demanding justice after he died days after a violent encounter with a Baltimore County police officer. Their calls intensified after officials released body‑worn camera footage of the February 16 incident.

Family viewed video more than two weeks after Brown’s death

Brown died on February 27, nearly two weeks after the encounter. His family said he suffered a broken jaw, broken nose, and brain damage that led to his death, per WBAL–TV. They viewed the footage more than two weeks later and said the video confirmed their worst fears.

You can watch the footage on YouTube.

The family came together at a press conference to express their outrage.

“Until you’re forced to watch our dad, our friend, our brother killed at the hands of a police officer on film, that’s something we have to live with for the rest of our lives,” said Roberto Silva, a longtime friend known as D.J. Quicksilva.

Baltimore County Police Body‑camera Video Shows Escalating Confrontation

The police report provided to reporters by the family’s attorney said the call came in around 3:30 a.m. for a man asleep at the wheel at an intersection.

The video begins without audio. Officer Derek Hadel, a nine‑year veteran, approaches Brown’s car and says something to Brown. Brown steps out and speaks back to the officer. The footage then shows Hadel extending his arm, reportedly pushing Brown twice. Brown swipes at the officer’s hand both times. After the second swipe, Hadel reportedly punches Brown multiple times.

Brown drops to the street and hits his head on the concrete. The video becomes graphic as he lies motionless. Backup officers and paramedics arrive and render aid.

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

“You can see the officer do it suddenly with such excessive and brutal force that it broke bones in Big Sam’s face and caused Big Sam to hit the pavement so hard it fractured his skull, resulting in his death several days later,” Murphy added.

The family is questioning if the officer followed the department’s de-escalation policy.

“When you look at the video, you can see that Officer Hadel, instead of de-escalating the situation, as he was required by law and departmental policy to do, he chose to escalate the situation illegally by sucker punching Big Sam in his face,” said Murphy.

Samuel “Big Sam” Brown’s Loved Ones Call For Accountability

Brown’s grieving family and friends said they want Hadel fired, prosecuted, and held civilly liable. They said Brown, a beloved father of six, deserved better.

“You have four daughters and two sons, as well as immediate family, who are demanding justice,” Silva said. He added that he will not stop fighting for accountability.

“We are going to continue fighting,” Silva said. “When it comes to justice for Big Sam, this fight is just starting.”

Silva told reporters he owes his career to Brown and has known him for more than 30 years.

One of Brown’s daughter described the kind of man her father was.

“He was Big Sam to everybody else, but he was just dad to us, and this didn’t have to happen,” said Deja Brown. “He wore a lot of hats, but he was proud to be a dad.”

Investigation ongoing

Hadel has been placed on leave, according to the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

Baltimore County Police said they are cooperating with the Attorney General’s investigation, per WBAL-TV.