An off-duty Florida deputy assaulted an elderly couple at Merk’s Bar & Grill, New Smyrna Beach. Identified as a 44-year-old, Jason Stickels approached the couple while drunk. The 71-year-old woman, who’s a Vietnam veteran’s wife, explained Stickels was drunk and tried to kiss her.

The incident was recorded on camera, and Stickels can be seen stumbling around the couple and then grabbing the woman’s arm in an attempt to kiss her. At that point, her 77-year-old husband intervened.

 

Seeing the situation, a bystander came to the rescue, put Stickels in a chokehold, and took him to the ground. He was arrested and charged with two counts of felony battery. Later, he was released from prison on a $10,000 bond.

Before the Volusia Sheriff’s Office could terminate his employment, the sergeant resigned. He had previously been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood reported that Stickels also checked into rehab, which he was glad to hear about. The sheriff’s office also shared the video of the incident with a caption, “How to throw away your law enforcement career in two minutes.”


He further noted, “What you see in that video is thoroughly disgusting, it’s sickening, and it’s not. It does not represent what this organization stands for a little bit. It’s a black eye for every one of us in this place.” The sergeant added, “He made a horrible mistake. His career is over.”

He also expressed that he would reach out to the victim couple soon. He offered to take them out for lunch. Learning about this, the couple told Fox 35 News they were excited for the invitation.

Netizens praised the Good Samaritan who helped the couple. One YouTube user commented, “The big guy at the table was observing and knew what was going down!!! Great job to see a real man unafraid to stand up!” Another one posted, “Wow, that sheriff’s sergeant really picked the wrong guy to mess with. Gotta admire the quick thinking of that bystander putting him down.”