Indian River County Sheriff's deputy caught on tape using Taser on suspect

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. - An Indian River County deputy plans to fight for his job, after he was let go last week following an internal investigation.

That investigation was sparked by a Taser incident caught on dash cam video.

According to Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar, it's what's not on the video that resulted in the deputy's firing.

On August 27th of last year, deputy Jeff Ledlow is seen on the dash cam video using his Taser on Jamie Brown of Vero Beach.

Brown had been picked up earlier in the day at the Quality Inn for failure to register as a sex offender and battery.

The incident came to light in November when the sheriff's office was conducting a regular review of in car videos

"By no way shape or form was this particular deputy... did we choose this one. This is a standard review of what we do," said the sheriff.

When Deputy Ledlow was questioned as part of an Internal Affairs investigation, he denied using his Taser other than on the incident caught on tape. But the sheriff's office says interviews with other witnesses and employees determined Ledlow did use his Taser on Jamie Brown at the motel.

"In law enforcement, being truthful is paramount and those actions won't be tolerated at the Indian River County Sheriff's Office," Sheriff Loar said.

The I-A report concluded Ledlow had made several false statements. Ledlow contended that the deputy driving Jamie Brown pulled over on his own when, in fact, Ledlow told the other deputy to pull over.

Deputy Ledlow also said Brown tried to kick him when he opened the other deputy's door. The video shows no kick and there are no audible commands from Ledlow before he uses his Taser.

While the I-A report did find excessive force was used, the sheriff says that's not why deputy Ledlow was fired. "The violation for termination was not being truthful and falsifying official documents in an investigation."

Ledlow was a deputy for the past two years. He was let go on Friday.

"Anytime a professional law enforcement officer acts contrary to the established policies and procedures, of course it's a black eye for the agency," the sheriff said.
 
The Coastal Police Benevolent Association, which represents deputy Ledlow, released a statement saying it vehemently disagrees with the findings and will vigorously challenge the sheriff's actions.

The sheriff's office has an appeals board made up of deputies.