Florida Sergeant Accused of Battering Elderly Couple

Police officers walking past caution tape at a crime scene

A Florida sheriff’s sergeant who swore to protect the public was arrested for battering a 71-year-old woman and her 77-year-old husband at a bar — caught on surveillance camera.

Story Snapshot

Volusia County Sheriff’s Sergeant Stickels was arrested on two felony battery charges after attacking an elderly couple at Merk’s Bar & Grill in New Smyrna Beach.
Witnesses say Stickels was intoxicated and started the trouble by making unwanted contact with the couple before hitting the 71-year-old woman and then her husband when he stepped in.
Surveillance footage backed up what witnesses reported, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Stickels was immediately stripped of his badge, gun, and police powers and placed on administrative leave pending final discipline.

What Happened at the Bar

On July 6, 2026, the New Smyrna Beach Police Department arrested Sergeant Stickels of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office following a fight at Merk’s Bar & Grill. Witnesses told authorities that Stickels, who was off duty, was intoxicated and began making unwanted contact with a couple seated nearby. The situation then turned physical. Surveillance footage and witness accounts both supported that version of events, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Stickels first struck the 71-year-old woman. When her 77-year-old husband stepped in to protect her, Stickels hit him too. A witness then physically subdued Stickels and took him to the ground, ending the altercation quickly. Deputies noted that no injuries were reported after the incident. Under Florida law, felony battery against a person 65 or older does not require the victim to suffer a physical injury for charges to apply.

Two Felony Charges and Immediate Consequences

Stickels now faces two counts of felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older. Sheriff Mike Chitwood responded swiftly and publicly. He stripped Stickels of his badge, gun, and law enforcement powers right away. The sergeant was placed on administrative leave and told to hand over all his department equipment. The Sheriff’s Office made clear that final termination proceedings are underway.

Reports also indicate that Stickels had prior disciplinary history with the department. That history is likely to come up as the case moves forward. His defense has not released a public statement addressing the specific witness accounts or the surveillance footage. No toxicology report has been publicly released to confirm or deny the level of intoxication witnesses described.

A Pattern Bigger Than One Sergeant

This case is not an isolated incident. Research on off-duty police misconduct shows that physical altercations — especially those involving alcohol — are among the most common career-ending offenses for law enforcement officers. The problem runs deeper than any one bad actor. A CBS News investigation with Arizona State University found that nearly one-third of police departments have no formal process to track or approve officers working off-duty jobs. That gap in oversight creates real risks for the public.

🚨 BADGES AND BAR FIGHTS: Off-Duty Florida Cop Arrested After Instigating Intoxicated Assault on Seniors

An off-duty Volusia County sheriff's sergeant has traded his badge for a booking photo. 44-year-old Jason Stickels was arrested by New Smyrna Beach police at a local grill… pic.twitter.com/IKfEMuUSai

— Crime Talk with Scott Reisch (@CrimeTalkNet) July 7, 2026

People across the political spectrum tend to agree on one thing: those given authority over others must be held to a higher standard. When a law enforcement officer — someone trusted to protect the elderly and vulnerable — allegedly uses violence against a 71-year-old woman at a bar, it shakes public trust in ways that go beyond one night and one sergeant. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office acted fast and publicly. Whether that accountability holds through the legal process is the next question worth watching.