HERNANDO – A 25-year veteran of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office has resigned, amid allegations that he used excessive force during a traffic stop last February.
According to reports, Deputy Richard Purchase conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of California Street and Tascosa Street, where he detained 52-year-old Gary Scott Almendariz who was attempting to flee from him. Soon after the stop, Sgt. Tim Bammert and a second agency employee (Identity Protected) arrived on the scene to assist Deputy Purchase. Officials say, while Almendariz was handcuffed in the backseat of the patrol car, he began kicking the door panel. In an effort to restrain Almendariz, Sgt. Bammert grabbed his head and neck while the suspect was handcuffed. The entire incident was captured on cameras mounted inside the patrol car – RNRF is attempting to acquire that footage.
As a result of the Internal Affairs Investigation, Sgt. Bammert was found to be in violation of three agency policies; 1036.00 Professional Courtesy, 2007.00 Supervisory Responsibility, 4020.00 Use of Control.
At this time, no charges have been filed against Tim Bammert and officials say Almendariz has not filed a complaint against the Sheriff’s Office.
On December 10th Almendariz was convicted of Fleeing and Eluding and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. He is scheduled to spend the next 20-years with the Department of Corrections for those crimes.
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Violent felon with a firearm. I’m sure he was just on his way to church!
Well if he was going to have to resign he should’ve just beat the shit out of the suspect anyways
I’d like to see the video! Sounds to me he was just doing his job! Stop coddling violent offenders!
“and a second agency employee (Identity Protected)” Why?
This isn’t the first time this deputy has used excessive force. I know first hand.
Sad he didn’t rip the POS head off…
Because it’s probably one of the other a******s that is known to use excessive force only that unidentified employee keeps on keeping his job.
Violent offender or not, that does not give police officers the right to beat the s**t out of anyone. F******g pigs is what HCSO employs.
The sheriff is a jerk for allowing a vet cop to walk out. The deputy was dealing with a s**t head who was resisting. It’s time the sheriff and chief deputy back there troops in lieu of screwing them
The Sheriff dropped this one. Al, step up and get this vet back.
Politically correct is not always correct, when he began kicking the doors he became a violent suspect. Violence against law enforcement should be met with enough violence in return, to control the situation, playing games with these criminals should not be tolerated.
Guy has been using excessive force for years. Can you say “Karma”
sgt. bammert wants to go home everynight to be with his family ,these criminals are just that give our officers a break.he did nothing wrong.
Its a shame, that now any “jerk” can cry” ouch”, and we all lose with a cop who did what a “jerk” needed to have. Some people know WHEN, to cry and look damage.
“Suckers” leave it to a scumbag to care about the rights of other scumbags. Hate cops? Have you tried not breaking the law? Maybe get a job?
with all the law offices of Canwe Duya N Houw its all about that hug a thug mentality. Its all c.y.a. politics.
He’s got 25 years in and probably can retire on a decent pension. He propably feels he don’t need the bullshat.
If I was a 25 year cop I would certainly resign, in a culture of no repect, the last thing you want to be is a cop. Thats what keeps Florida and Harley Davidson in bussiness, a bunch of early retirement cops, firemen and of course dont forget teachers. Cant say I blame them, why be up in the cold and risk your life and then get treated like crap.
What a shame, all officers risk their life everyday for us and one POS acts out and needed to be stopped, and our HCSO Officer has to leave is job? Wake up America, they are out there 24/7 for US, let’s back them against the wall for doing their job.
Cameras are making cops honest. At least this suspect wasn’t shot. He is lucky he is white. Body cameras need to be manditory
Hey Johnny is that a fact did you ever walk in their shoes Hernando needs long time police with street smarts we are loseing all the good ones and I know that is a fact
There have been several long term employees “resign” under Al’s rein, wonder if it’s his nepolian complex
Body cameras are no good let the police do what they have to do out there with out big brother watching if you thing you can deal with the law breaking citizens then sign up
Chaz, get a life! He may have his pension, but he missed out on the drop program
First of all,our Sheriff was never a real cop!!ever…He was handed this position by governor Charlie Crist from his connections with Mike Fasano,who helped retired pasco sheriff,bob white win back then.Its all who you know,then our sheriff backstabbed Crist in last election and supported Rick scott…How can you have a boss who is elected when hes a turn coat also?Sgt.Bammert is a good cop and I know first hand because I dealt with him a few times at one time.He doesn’t need the bullcrap or stress what HSCO is about these days.The place is crumbling badly and I know lots of issues that are going on right now as we speak.The administration is very unprofessional and all of them did the same crap and worse…AL should have cleaned house but he didn’t and the place is in disarray.The blind is leading the blind.There selective in who they do a internal affairs on.Some its passed over and given just to asupervisor and others are nailed.Shouldnt be like that…All should be done the same way.Its a legal mafia..honest..Good luck Sgt Bammert with your retirement!!!
Hey Zgirl wise up the criminal didn’t say ouch..he didn’t even file a complaint! ..it was internal affairs who had enough of this officers actions..he was being watched.
Tom you should call Grady Judd and get a quote from him to see how he would have haddle the same situation.
probably vice
Sgt. enjoy your new non-political and BS Life or I hear Sheriff Judd is looking for you he always watches for good officers left in the cold.
Crazy B,
The evidence and results of wearing body cameras has proven very effective. When cops are watched, they behave.
Using a control group, the Rialto study found the use of force was cut by half in shifts where cameras were employed, and that officers not wearing cameras received three times as many complaints as those with cameras
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/12/02/who-uses-police-body-cameras-and-what-happens-when-they-do
I feel sorry for any public employees that have to deal with THE public today .
The good ole towns with that country feelings are gone to a bunch disrespectful, rude, in a dam hurry , sorry , lazy, can’t handle the truth, can’t even pull up there britches, move here and complain about us being the bad one, steal, litter right out the window like no care in the world of people that are going to take us into the future.
SERIOUSLY
I bet you work @ HCSO!
Who said he beat the ***** out of anyone?
Carrie you sure as hell don’t fit into the group of “good cops”. You’re a home wrecking witch who needs to learn to keep your legs closed. Got it Crazy B? We are tired of you and your peanut butter legs.
John go away with your hatred of the Sheriff. He most certainly was elected, after he was appointed because Nugent pulled his swift move. The loser that he is. Al was ELECTED sheriff. Get over the fact that you also are gone, do to shenanigans of your own and the corrupt group you associate with. Criminals, all of you. Glad you are gone. There’s things I don’t agree with, with Al, but I do respect the man enough to put up with the crap that he does, from both present and past employees.
Skinny, you got that right!
As a soft job like being a cop.but you sighed up to work. WithThe public.no not. How you want to potect yourself.candy a** coward .most of them are. See .no mentality to protect and serve.👎 no just worried about your paycheck which the people that you’re beating on supply
I will bet a hundred dollar bill that the tape will somehow get lost or some other excuse to cover up the truth
Crazy B sure is a fact, I have first hand knowledge as I have seen him in action before. He finally got what he deserved. Now he should be charged with battering the handcuffed man but I’m sure that this great Sheriff the Hernando County citizens seem to think we have doesn’t have the ba*** to file charges. People need to wake up in this county, its time for an administrative change at the Sheriff’s Office.
Yeah I gotta agree with johnny . He’s a worthless meth addict I met him at charlies on freeport his lovely companion was melissa childs . Trash
Oh wait I thought we we’re saying the criminal was a piece of ****,which he is, he tried to sell a young girl to some guy . He deserves more than being roughed up
Kyml you are so full of it Gary never tried to sell a person but karma is a b****and it will be visiting. U soon