According to 4 witnesses in the car - including 2 teens - Clay County Deputy Douglas Elkins was driving and arguing with his wife, pulls a gun, and unholsters it in the presence of the other family members in the car.
His wife says: “Go ahead. There are witnesses this time,”
HE says he's got "plenty of ammunition for everyone."
The family pleads with him (ouch), he puts it away and says,
"Nobody can take a joke."
From one of the news articles, "...Mrs. Elkins... and all the relatives in the car told police they felt Elkins was serious, not joking. In a Domestic Violence Threat Assessment attached to the police report, Mrs. Elkins was asked if she thought her partner would "intentionally kill" her. She answered, "Yes."...
(Source: Deputy Accused of Threatening Family With Gun, First Coast News, Feb 1, 2006)
According to multiple news accounts, Elkins was arrested for aggravated assault, all the witnesses were afraid of him, charges were dropped - but an internal investigation very lightly held him accountable:
...An investigation by the internal affairs unit of the Clay Sheriff's Office -- a move that is standard procedure -- found Elkins' behavior "would tend to discredit your reputation and the reputation of the Clay County Sheriff's Office," the May 1 reprimand letter says. "Further improper conduct may result in a more severe punishment," the letter concludes. The 18-year-veteran of the agency has been moved from his position as a school resource officer to regular patrol duties.
Note: Elkins has had 6 sustained complaints for "improper conduct of improper procedure." Seeing as complaints aren't often sustained, I can only wonder how many complaints have been made. It appeas that the witnesses were very afraid, the charges were dropped, but the internal held him accountable - with a transfer to regular deputy duties and a handslap - written reprimand.
jacksonville.com
...When his wife said "go ahead, there are witnesses this time," Elkins "unsnapped the holster and said that he did not care because he had a 'full magazine and plenty of ammunition for everyone,'" according to witness statements... Witnesses didn't return phone calls Tuesday. They told police they were afraid for their lives and said they heard Elkins threaten to kill his wife "if she did not shut up."... She also said he has threatened before to kill her and make it look like self-defense... Elkins, who was released from jail on $10,000 bail, was placed on administrative leave with pay...
jacksonville.com
...The other people in the car gave a Jacksonville officer the same account [as wife], and all indicated they did not think Elkins was kidding, the report said. The officer and his supervisor met with an assistant state attorney and a judge, who issued the warrant with a $10,000 bond...
jacksonville.com
...[Elkins] arrested by Duval authorities on aggravated assault charges has received a written reprimand and has been transferred to a different department... The charges were dropped... However, an investigation by the internal affairs unit of the Clay Sheriff's Office -- a move that is standard procedure -- found Elkins' behavior "would tend to discredit your reputation and the reputation of the Clay County Sheriff's Office," the May 1 reprimand letter says. "Further improper conduct may result in a more severe punishment," the letter concludes. The 18-year-veteran of the agency has been moved from his position as a school resource officer to regular patrol duties.
A letter is all it's worth?
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal terroristic threatening florida state politics]
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