Bobby Ephlin, former Police Chief of Osceola, Arkansas has tenured his resignation following a viral video of an alleged assault of a paraplegic man.
“I hear by resign my position as Chief of the Osceola Police Department effective immediately. It was an honor to be chosen by you to serve in your administration. However, I feel that as this point, the best thing for me and my family is for me to step away. I am available to assist you in any way that I can to assure a smooth transition. I wish you and your administration continues success with all of the great things going on here in Osceola.”
Mayor Joe Harris Jr. of Osceola stated that the city has initiated an independent outside review of the incident at Hyatt Apartments. Danarius Willimas acused the former police chief of “smacking the hell out” of him and putting him in a headlock.
“He smacked me, he smacked the hell out of me, and then choked me. You came behind me in a chair,” said Danarius Williams, the man in the wheelchair. “I’m a paraplegic, can’t feel anything, can’t do anything from the belly button down.”
Williams admits he used a “few cuss words,” telling the chief, “‘Get your F -ing hands off me, get your finger up out of my face,’ because he had his finger in my face, and just like any other person, when you put your finger in someone’s face, what you do, you fan. I didn’t touch him. I didn’t hit him.”
