OSBI Investigates Misconduct Complaint Against 2 Watonga Police Officers

Watonga Police body-worn camera video shows a boy wailing as his father is handcuffed and shoved to the ground on July 4.

The father filed a complaint against the two Watonga police officers. Now, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating possible police misconduct, and the sheriff wants the officers to be placed on leave.

Johnny Sexton: You’re going to do this in front of my son?
Officer: Yeah

This is part of the exchange from a Blaine County father as a Watonga police officer places him in handcuffs.

“I can understand why people are so upset,” said Blaine County Sheriff Travis Daughterty.

The sheriff says at times, the video is hard to watch. “The child wailing and crying that’s tough for anybody to have to watch,” he said.

The Blaine County Sheriff spoke out about the incident that occurred on July 4, when two Watonga police officers stopped Johnny Sexton and his young son during their walk.

“There’s a lot of motivation driving this, a lot of people that are unhappy with the officer,” Daugherty said.

News 9 received the video from a viewer which the sheriff verified. It shows the officers stopping the father and son.

Officer: Found it a little bit suspicious, just the walking around.
Sexton: Walking around is a little bit suspicious?

Then in the video, the officer demands ID which Sexton says he didn’t have on him.

“There’s no way I can stick my head in the sand and pretend like this doesn’t exist,” Daugherty said.

The Sheriff released a letter over the weekend demanding the two officers be placed on administrative leave while the OSBI completes its investigation into the misconduct complaint.

“I think it was a really bold move,” said concerned citizen Marcus Wray about the sheriff’s letter.

Wray says he’s had run-ins with the same officer.

“People don’t feel safe,” Wray said. “If I were to get pulled over by the Watonga Police Department, I’d drive straight to the sheriff’s office until I got out of my vehicle.”

The sheriff says he stood up after his office was inundated with concerns from the community.

“Whether they are guilty or not guilty that’s not for me to decide right now but doing something for the citizens until it’s actually investigated, I feel like is paramount to me,” Daugherty said.

The father was eventually let go and not arrested. Meanwhile, OSBI confirmed the Watonga Police Department did request that they investigate the misconduct complaint.

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