NORTHWOODS, Mo. — On the Fourth of July, a woman noticed a Northwoods police car parked in a field in neighboring Kinloch – now, the gruesome discovery she made after getting a closer look has led to multiple charges against a police officer accused of brutality.
Samuel Davis, 26, was arrested in North Carolina Monday and charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and kidnapping after police say he beat a man he arrested at Walgreens in Northwoods, breaking his jaw and leaving him bloodied in that field, according to court documents.
Before joining Northwoods, Davis worked for the North County Police Cooperative from February 2021 through May 2022.
Northwoods Chief Dennis Shireff issued a statement late Monday confirming Davis no longer works for the department. He had been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
The chief wrote, in part: "Words can barely begin to express the disappointment and the failure of what appears to be a reckless disregard for the humane treatment of others and the solemn duties of a law enforcement officer...This incident is directly contrary to the core values, goals, and policies of our police department and of the City of Northwoods."
The woman who spotted Davis’s Northwoods patrol car July 4 posted a photo of the victim on Facebook along with a description of what she saw. The photo shows a young man lying on the ground with a bruised, battered and bloodied face.
The witness wrote that she saw an officer standing over the man in the picture. She said that she walked up to the victim and he told her the police beat him in the head.
Michelle Smith is an anti-police brutality activist, and commends the woman for coming forward.
“She's the hero,” Smith said. “She obviously had the foresight to understand that something was amiss and to stop and get this person help.
“So her social media post kind of pushed everything forward and people started asking what was going on?”
Davis handcuffed the man and put him in the back of the squad car, and then turned off his bodycam. Davis then drove to a remote area of Kinloch without telling dispatchers, according to the court documents.
When they arrived in Kinloch, Davis pepper-sprayed the man, repeatedly struck him with a baton and told him to never come back to Northwoods, according to charging documents.
The witness found the victim, called 911 and posted the photo online. That witness also told police what she saw, and that lined up with what the victim told police, according to court documents.
Davis did not write a police report for the incident at Walgreens that led to the arrest or the incident in Kinloch, according to court documents.
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell released the following statement:
"What is alleged in this incident will not be tolerated under my watch. These actions put a black eye on all law enforcement officers who are doing their jobs the right way and who are tired of their profession being dragged through the mud because of the bad actions of a few. We intend to hold anyone who engages in such terrible and reckless behavior accountable for their actions, regardless of their position or title."
Smith said she’s happy Davis is charged, but said she’s still unsure if he will actually be held accountable. She said she disagreed with Bell’s office allowing a former officer to participate in a diversion program after the officer shot a woman with her gun instead of her Taser following a shoplifting incident a few years ago.
“Accountability will come at the end once we know what actually happens with this officer,” Smith said. “And that will tell us if he is actually held accountable for his actions.”
Northwoods is a town of about 3,600 people. With Davis’s suspension, the department now has 13 officers, according to the chief.
Davis was being held in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Once he is extradited to St. Louis County, prosecutors have asked that he be held on a $750,000 cash-only bond.
Here is Shireff's full statement:
"The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has formally charged a former Northwoods Police Department Officer with 1st Degree Assault, Armed Criminal Action, and Kidnapping. We appreciate the diligent work of law enforcement as they have conducted the independent investigation as I have requested to ensure that justice be served. As reported by various media outlets, this person was taken into custody in North Carolina. These types of allegations and charges do not represent acceptable conduct of law enforcement professionals who serve appropriately and honorably.
"The Northwoods Police Department continues to safeguard against bias, perceived bias, or any appearance of bias that could impact justice being served. As police officers, we uphold the ideals of serving and protecting in our thoughts as well as in our actions. Words can barely begin to express the disappointment and the failure of what appears to be a reckless disregard for the humane treatment of others and the solemn duties of a law enforcement officer.
"With ongoing community support and meaningful partnerships, our accredited department continues to work towards being better every day. Our goal remains to serve and sustain the trust of our community. This incident is directly contrary to the core values, goals, and policies of our police department and of the City of Northwoods.
"The City of Northwoods Police Department remains committed to identifying areas of improvement in the hiring, appointing, training, and appointing competent, capable, and compassionate staff who dedicate themselves to diligently serving the community. I appreciate the community’s trust in the Northwoods Police Department in upholding the law, the principles of due process, and the idea of fairness for all on behalf of the citizens we serve."
