Family Files Federal Lawsuit Over Woodlawn Encounter Following AG’s Decision
The family of Samuel "Big Sam" Brown has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Baltimore County and Officer Derek Hadel. This action follows the Maryland Attorney General's decision not to file criminal charges against Officer Hadel in connection with…
Baltimore, MD, August 25, 2026 —
The family of Samuel “Big Sam” Brown has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against Baltimore County and Officer Derek Hadel. This legal action comes after the Maryland Attorney General’s office announced it would not pursue criminal charges against Officer Hadel in relation to Brown’s death.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, asserts that Officer Hadel employed excessive force during an interaction that initially stemmed from a wellness check conducted in Woodlawn. Samuel Brown died 11 days subsequent to this encounter.
The Maryland Attorney General’s office previously concluded its investigation into the incident. Their determination was that insufficient evidence existed to establish that the officer’s actions went beyond what was reasonably necessary for self-defense. The office cited Samuel Brown’s non-compliance with instructions and his physical engagement with the officer as contributing factors in their assessment.
Details regarding the specific nature of the wellness check and the events that transpired during the encounter were not further elaborated in the provided information. The outcomes of any internal reviews or disciplinary actions by Baltimore County, beyond the civil lawsuit, were also not specified.
Story summarized from the original created by Bryan Lynn on www.cbsnews.com, see more information here.
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