Broken Badges: Horry County Police Department in Disarray

Broken Badges: Horry County Police Department in Disarray

By James Seidel | Broken Badges Series | CC News Network

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., — Broken Badges: A former Horry County Police Department (HCPD) detective has resigned after admitting to making false statements regarding evidence collection in an active case, according to records from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

Jamel Davis, who had been with HCPD since December 17, 2018, officially resigned on March 5, 2025. Before joining HCPD, he worked with the Horry County Sheriff’s Office as a Class 3 officer and later as a Class 1 officer from 2011 to 2018.

According to a Criminal Justice Academy separation letter, Davis was questioned on March 4 about his handling of evidence in a case. Supervisors discovered that his statements were false, and video evidence confirmed he had misrepresented key facts. The letter further states that Davis knowingly provided misleading and deceitful information during the inquiry.

Faced with undeniable proof, Davis admitted to making false statements and submitted his resignation the next day.

While his actions raise serious concerns about integrity in law enforcement, records indicate that no criminal charges or further investigations are currently pending against him.

Former Officer Michael Stackhouse Arrested for Illegal Alcohol Sales

Just days after Davis’ resignation, former HCPD officer Michael Deontric Stackhouse, 36, was arrested on March 10, 2025, following a SLED investigation into his illegal sale of alcohol.

Charges Against Stackhouse (First Offense):
✅ Unlawful Sale of Alcoholic Liquors
✅ Unlawful Storage/Possession of Liquor in a Business
✅ Failure to Secure a Beer/Wine Sale Permit
✅ Sale of Beer Without Paying Taxes

Broken Badges: SLED Investigates HCPD Corruption
According to SLED Public Information Director Renée Wunderlich, HCPD itself requested SLED’s involvement in the investigation, signaling possible larger corruption concerns.

Legal Consequences:

• Stackhouse was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County.
• The 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office will handle his prosecution.
• If convicted, Stackhouse could face fines, license revocation, or even jail time.

READ THE FULL SLED REPORT HERE (Source: media release from SLED)

Broken Badges: Deputy Chief of Operations Brandon Strickland Resigns Without Explanation

Adding to the turmoil, Deputy Chief of Operations Brandon Strickland resigned on March 11, 2025, after nearly 20 years on the force.

What We Know So Far:

• Strickland was a high-ranking official in charge of day-to-day operations.
• No official reason for his resignation has been provided.
• HCPD denies any connection between Strickland’s resignation and the cases of Davis or Stackhouse.
• The Criminal Justice Academy has not yet received official separation documents.

However, sources within the department confirm that Heather Wilson, a longtime HCPD employee, worked directly under Strickland. Wilson, a well-connected figure within the department, is also the mother of DJ Brummett, a man alleged to have been having an affair with Mica Francis Miller in the months leading up to her suicide.

This connection raises additional questions about internal department dynamics and whether Wilson’s close ties to Strickland played any role in his abrupt resignation.

Broken Badges: HCPD Chief Requests FBI & SLED to Reopen 2023 Deadly Road Rage Case

As HCPD faces internal chaos, Chief Kris Leonhardt made a major announcement on March 13, 2025—requesting the FBI and SLED to reopen a deadly road rage case from September 2023.

Key Questions Remain Unanswered:

• Why is the case being reopened now?
• Was a police officer involved in the original investigation?
• Is this connected to recent resignations or misconduct within the department?

HCPD refused to confirm or deny whether the reopened case involves any of the recently resigned officers.

What Happens Next?

Major legal battles and investigations are now underway:

• Davis’ cases will likely be reviewed for potential wrongful convictions.
• Stackhouse faces prosecution by the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
• The FBI and SLED’s findings on the deadly road rage case could reveal deeper corruption within HCPD.

Could more HCPD officers face investigations or resignations in the coming weeks? Given the pattern of misconduct, law enforcement sources suggest that this may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Follow Crime and Cask News Network for exclusive updates on this developing story.

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