Off-Duty Volusia Sheriff's Sergeant Arrested for Battery

An off-duty sergeant with the Volusia Sheriff's Office was arrested on Monday for battery. 44-year-old Jason Stickels is accused of starting a physical altercation with a senior couple at a bar in New Smyrna Beach. Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood has suggested Stickels was heavily inebriated when the altercation occurred. Though the agency's official statement didn't ensure termination, Chitwood himself described Stickels as a "soon-to-be former Volusia Sheriff's Office sergeant". The incident occurred on Monday at around 4:20 p.m. Stickels was said to be at Merk's Bar & Grill, where he approached a couple who were seated at one of the tables. The husband was 77 years old and the wife was 71. The Altercation According to the Volusia Sheriff's Office, Stickels approached the couple and "created unwanted contact". Surveillance footage of the incident appears to show him lean close toward the wife, before the husband stands up and confronts Stickels. At this point Stickels appears to push the husband backward, before himself stumbling toward the bar. A woman walks over to intervene, and Stickels seems to move back toward the husband. Before he gets there, another patron is shown approaching Stickels from behind and wrapping his arms around him, taking him to the ground. Stickels has been charged with two counts of battery on a person 65 years of age or older. He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on Monday at around 8:20 p.m., before records show he posted his $10,000 bond and was released about an hour later. What's Next for Jason Stickels The Volusia Sheriff's Office says Stickels has been employed with the agency since 2004. He's been placed on administrative leave and has been made to surrender his law enforcement equipment, according to the VSO's statement. He'll face "discipline up to and including termination". "How to throw away your law enforcement career in 2 minutes," said Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Monday. "Off duty, stumbling drunk, harassing people who are just trying to enjoy their afternoon. I apologize for this soon-to-be former Volusia Sheriff's Office sergeant's idiotic behavior today. He is locked up tonight. To the couple involved, please let me buy your next lunch at Merk's. I would also like to invite the good citizen who stepped in and refused to be a bystander. Nice takedown." Previous Issues The Daytona Beach News-Journal first reported that Jason Stickels has had other disciplinary actions during his time with the Volusia Sheriff's Office. In 2016 he reportedly accused a postal worker of stealing his phone, leading to a wrongful arrest that resulted in an $80,000 settlement. Then in 2018, Stickels served a 15-day unpaid suspension after reportedly ignoring an order to cease pursuit of a carjacking subject. He was said to have told his lieutenant at the time that he had a "bone to pick" with the suspect in that case.