Community reacts after Elsmere hires former deputy who fatally shot teen in 2014

ELSMERE, Ky. — The Elsmere Police Department's Facebook post welcoming former Boone County Deputy Tyler Brockman as its new officer received hundreds of comments from residents upset that the department hired a man who shot a teenager while on duty.

“Please join the Town of Elsmere in congratulating our newest officer, Tyler Brockman! Officer Brockman was sworn in before Mayor Lenhof this morning,” Elsmere Police said before detailing Brockman's work, which includes time spent with the Boone County Sheriff's Office and the Villa Hills Police Department. .

While serving as a Boone County deputy, Brockman fatally shot teenager Samantha Ramsey as she tried to walk away from a grounds party in 2014.

Our previous reporting showed that Brockman said he was afraid Ramsey would run over her and that he was worried she would hit people walking along the road. An evidentiary report found that Ramsey was drunk, had used marijuana and crushed Brockman's foot before shooting him.

A grand jury declined to indict Brockman, who fired four shots at point-blank range through Ramsey's windshield after jumping on the front hood of his car. His family accepted a $3.5 million settlement from the county that required deputies to wear body cameras.

Samantha Ramsey's family settles for $3.5 million

Brockman remained with the sheriff's office until 2019, according to Elsmere's post.

Several people commented on Elsmere's post, calling Brockman a “murderer” and questioning whether there had been oversight in the hiring process.

“This is such a shame for this city. It's a slap in the face for everyone,” one person said.

“Do you hear your citizens? » commented another person.

We called Elsmere Police Chief Russell Wood, who declined to comment. When announcing the hiring to city council, he said he was proud to fully staff the department.

During that meeting, Mayor Marty Lenhof praised Wood for his ability to hire quality candidates into the department.

“It could have been filled a long time ago, but they weren’t fit for the city,” he said. “They weren't the right fit for leader, and I want to thank you for staying focused on your task.”