A recent incident involving Staff Sgt. Buck Aldridge, a deputy of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, has once again brought attention to the issue of unnecessary violence and aggression by law enforcement officers. The incident occurred when Aldridge fatally shot Leonard Cure during a roadside struggle after pulling him over for speeding. This is not the first time a traffic stop involving Aldridge has escalated into violence.
In a disturbing video obtained by The Associated Press, Aldridge can be seen punching a driver after dragging him from a car that crashed following a chase. Shockingly, records indicate that Aldridge faced no disciplinary action for this incident. Furthermore, personnel records reveal that Aldridge was fired from a police department in the same Georgia county in 2017 for throwing a woman to the ground and handcuffing her during a traffic stop. Despite his history of aggression, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office hired him nine months later.
The fatal shooting of Leonard Cure has raised concerns about Aldridge’s fitness for duty. Cure, a 53-year-old Black man, was shocked with a Taser by Aldridge after refusing to be handcuffed. Body and dash camera videos show Cure fighting back and having a hand at the deputy’s throat when Aldridge shot him point-blank. Cure’s relatives believe his resistance was due to psychological trauma from spending 16 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating Cure’s death, and its findings will be submitted to prosecutors. Aldridge’s attorney claims that the video evidence proves he fired in self-defense. However, critics argue that Aldridge should never have been allowed to wear a badge, given his history of aggression.
The case of Buck Aldridge highlights a larger issue within the Camden County Sheriff’s Office. Over the past year, six deputies have been indicted and fired for violence against jail detainees and a motorist. This pattern of misconduct has led to a spike in claims against the sheriff’s office, causing the county to be dropped by its insurance company. The county now faces higher deductibles for liability claims.
Advocates and civil rights attorneys are calling for accountability within the sheriff’s office. They believe that Sheriff Jim Proctor, who has been in office for a decade, is tolerating unnecessary violence. Proctor declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing investigations and pending civil litigation.
Experts in law enforcement and criminal justice have weighed in on the situation. While they believe that Aldridge’s actions may have been legally justified due to the perceived threat he faced, they also criticize his lack of effort to deescalate the situation. They argue that officers should be held to a higher standard and emphasize the importance of controlling emotions in high-stress encounters.
The fate of Buck Aldridge remains uncertain as the investigation into Leonard Cure’s death continues. Regardless of the outcome, this incident raises important questions about the hiring and oversight practices of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office and the need for greater accountability within law enforcement.
