10/21/2025
A few weeks ago, we shared bodycam footage that was sent to us in which a Vigo County Sheriff's deputy was heard to say some pretty hateful comments toward a person that was administered naloxone. Since we shared the video, we thought it only right to share the steps that Vigo County Sheriff's Department is taking to address this. While we know everyone has their own views and opinions on this, we want to recognize the department for addressing this and including involvement with the recovery community in the deputys corrective action plan. As we know, our stories are what help to change people's perspectives, and we hope that this deputy has the opportunity to get to know some of the amazing individuals who work in our community who are in recovery, many of whom wouldn't be alive today without naloxone. We support second chances and believe that people can change, that is the foundation of what we do. Our goal is to strengthen our community, not divide. We have witnessed the progress the criminal justice system has made toward recognizing the need for recovery support in our community, and hope to continue making progress in this direction.
Re: Body cam incident of August 2023
Approximately three weeks ago body cam footage of one of our deputies from more than two years ago was made public where words were spoken which were inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable. As previously mentioned, an internal review was initiated which involved not only reviewing the body cam footage in question, but numerous other body cam videos over the last couple years involving Deputy Brown. The review also included conversations with members in our recovery community and our administrative team.
The internal review is now complete and a course of corrective action has been approved by our merit board. Corrective action for Deputy Brown includes the following:
•20 day unpaid suspension
•12 month probation
•60 day suspension of current rank (loss in pay), pending training completion in various areas of recovery/addiction:
-Anti-Stigma Training
-Implicit Bias Training
-The Brain and the Disease of Addiction
-Removing the Shame and Stigma of
addiction
•Detailed to 6 hours of recovery community activities.
•Two meetings with recovery community members
These events reflected negatively on the Sheriff’s Office and all who work here. It is important that we recognize the hurt and harm the comments caused, take appropriate but reasonable action, and remind everyone who works in the Sheriff’s Office that we will adhere to high standards. We have been reminded about the magnitude of the words we speak and how harm can result regardless of our intentions.
We move forward to do our jobs, serving and protecting, and pursuing justice and public safety by arresting those who violate the law. That work must always be performed safely, respectfully, and professionally.
Derek Fell
Sheriff
