The Brownwood Police Department issued the following press releases Monday:

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Officer Austin Carlisle conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of East Commerce for a vehicle equipment malfunction. The driver and the passenger of the vehicle were identified, and the stop was concluded after a warning was written. 

Once the vehicle left, Officer Carlisle remained at the scene to complete his paperwork from that stop. At this moment, a dark SUV pulled into a parking space on the side of the road in front of Carlisle’s patrol vehicle.  A female and male exited that SUV and began walking toward Carlisle while activating their cell phones. Carlisle exited his patrol vehicle as it appeared this couple wanted to contact him.

Carlisle was first met by the female who identified herself as the passenger’s mother. The female asked the reason for identifying the passenger and after giving the reason, the male approached and confronted Carlisle about this stating, “You cannot identify on a traffic stop.”

Officer Carlisle, recognizing the male as 50-year-old Dwayne Uterral Hardeman of Brownwood, called for additional officers as it was evidenced by Hardeman’s aggressive and confrontational speech that a simple conversation was not to be had. Hardeman demanded a supervisor at the scene and told the female that he was, “Tired of these people messing with me.”

Ultimately, Mr Hardeman ended up fleeing on foot from the scene and the resulting physical detention resulted in an arrest for Public Intoxication, Evading Detention w/ Previous Conviction, Resisting Arrest, and Assault on a Public Servant.

It is important to note that it is not safe or effective to argue the elements or procedures of a traffic stop on the side of the road.  If you do not agree with the proceedings of a traffic stop that you were physically a party to, the course of action would be to contact the police department during regular business hours Monday thru Friday.    

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On Sunday, October 16, 2022, at approximately officers were dispatched to Coggin Park (2001 Austin Ave) regarding a report of an agitated male, wanting to fight.

Officers Jayme Bowman and Collin Davis arrived on scene and located 40-year-old Shannon Logan Thomas of Early, sitting on park benches near the tennis courts. Thomas made several rambling and confusing statements, indicating to officers that he was having a mental episode.  At one point he approached Bowman aggressively then turn and attempted to leave.  When officers attempted to speak to Thomas of a mental health professional coming to visit, he became upset and attempted to flee.

Officers attempted to gain control of Thomas as it did not seem safe for him to be alone. As officers attempted to gain control of Thomas, a physical struggle ensued and Thomas bit Bowman’s forearm.

Thomas was arrested and charged with Resisting as well as Assault on a Public Servant.