Former Riviera Beach Police Sergeant Arrested. Here’s Why

A former Riviera Beach police sergeant was arrested after hitting a man in the head with a pistol during an altercation last year.

The Palm Beach County District Attorney’s Office has charged former Riviera Beach Police Sergeant Russell Byrd with aggravated assault with a weapon.

Byrd was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail Thursday evening.

Riviera Beach police said in a statement that Byrd had resigned from the department.

WPTV investigative reporter Dave Bohman reported in March that Byrd was temporarily removed from street patrol while the department conducted an internal investigation.

Bohman spoke to Andrew Patterson, the man hit by Byrd in the October 2, 2023 incident.

A police report states that Byrd “was armed with a firearm and responded by striking Patterson with the weapon on the left side of his face.”

“It was a traumatic experience for me,” Patterson told Bohman. “It’s something I’ll always live with because if that gun had gone off, he could have taken my life.”

Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael Coleman issued the following statement on Friday regarding the arrest:

“We want to assure the community that we are committed to holding our officers and staff accountable for their actions. This incident does not reflect the values ​​and standards of the Riviera Beach Police Department. We are committed to building and maintaining trust in the community we serve.”

Scripps Content Only 2024