A detention deputy with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested for domestic battery, the agency announced on Thursday. Sara Radford, who holds the rank of detention deputy first class, was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery from an incident that reportedly occurred in Daytona Beach. The Daytona Beach Police Department was the arresting agency.
The FCSO revealed on Thursday that the arrest had occurred, the second time in the last month that a law enforcement officer in the agency’s ranks has been arrested. Radford’s arrest follows that of Detective Ardit Coma, who was taken into custody in Ormond Beach after he was alleged to have fled an Ormond Beach Police Officer. The charges were dropped days later, and Coma was suspended two days after an internal investigation.
A description of Radford’s arrest by FCSO Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge indicates alcohol was involved in the incident. Radford reportedly got into a drunken altercation while out celebrating on New Year’s Eve in Daytona Beach, leading to an altercation.
“Sheriff Rick Staly expects our employees to follow the law and conduct themselves in a manner that represents this agency well, even when they are off duty,” Strobridge said. “From what we know, it appears that both Detention Deputy First Class Radford and the victim were intoxicated late in the night after celebrating the New Year, and while walking in Daytona Beach an argument occurred and an arrest was made. We will let the criminal justice system play out, which gives her due process just like anybody else.”
According to the FCSO, Radford was suspended without pay immediately after the arrest occurred, in accordance with agency policy. Once the criminal case against Radford concludes, the FCSO says it intends to open an internal investigation into her. Radford’s suspension without pay is to remain in effect until that process is complete.
Radford was hired by the FCSO in August 2011. Her career has progressed since then, and in 2022 she was awarded the honor of FCSO Detention Deputy of the Year.
Further information on this case will be added to this and/or subsequent reports as it’s made available.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
