The Hillsboro Board of Alderpersons reportedly voted in closed session Monday night (Feb. 5) to seek an attorney’s advice on how to remove Mayor Dennis Bradley from office after he was arrested earlier that day for allegedly harassing and assaulting a Jefferson County deputy.
Sheriff Dave Marshak said a report about the arrest had been turned over to the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, but no charges had been filed as of this morning (Feb. 7).
Bradley, 65, who was elected as mayor in April 2017, said the closed-session vote was 7-0.
“It was a motion to have the city attorney legally look into it, to see if there’s any way they could get rid of me,” he said. “They said I was hurting the reputation of the city. What about my reputation?”
Bradley said the aldermen “very strongly indicated” they wanted him to resign.
“But I say a person is innocent until proved guilty.”
Bradley said the Sheriff’s Office’s allegations against him are unfounded.
Marshak said Bradley allegedly had been harassing the deputy since 2014, after the deputy arrested one of Bradley’s family members for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
The incident that led to Bradley’s arrest began at about 2 p.m. Monday.
The deputy, whom neither the Sheriff’s Office nor Bradley named, was at a gas station in the 1800 block of Little Brennan Road in High Ridge to get a refreshment, and Bradley allegedly confronted him there, “yelling expletives and challenging him to a physical confrontation,” Marshak said in an email.
“The deputy advised the subject to leave him alone, and that he (Bradley) should go about his business,” Marshak reported. “(Bradley) followed the deputy to his patrol car, and while challenging the deputy to take off his badge and gun, poked the deputy in the chest. The deputy warned the subject not to touch or physically assault him, and that if he did it again, he would be arrested. The subject continued the threats, and again physically poked the deputy.”
The deputy then told Bradley he was under arrest and ordered him to place his hands behind his back, but he “refused to comply,” Marshak said.
“The suspect continued to resist arrest and at one point grabbed and twisted the hand/fingers of the deputy,” Marshak said. “This action resulted in the deputy utilizing (pepper spray) to gain compliance and the subject was eventually taken into custody with no further force.”
Marshak said neither the deputy nor Bradley was injured in the struggle.
During the confrontation, Bradley allegedly told the officer he was the mayor of Hillsboro, Marshak said.
After he was arrested, Bradley was transported to the Sheriff’s Office, booked and released pending application for warrants, but the drama continued.
Bradley left the jail and walked across the parking lot and stood next to the arresting deputy’s patrol car. Later, when the deputy was leaving the Sheriff’s Office building, he spotted Bradley standing next to his car, so he went back inside and informed supervisors. As the supervisors approached Bradley, they could hear a woman calling for him, and eventually Bradley left, headed to where the woman was calling from, Marshak said.
Marshak said the Sheriff’s Office is seeking charges against Bradley for fourth-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and stalking/harassment.
“The case is going to have to be reviewed (by a prosecutor) but someone who feels comfortable enough to target a deputy and challenge him to a physical confrontation and poke him in the chest is concerning,” Marshak said.
Bradley said there were many “extenuating circumstances” that led to his arrest and disputed much of the information Marshak reported.
“I’ve had trouble with this police officer for five or six years. This police officer is very aggressive and a bully,” Bradley said.
He said the officer often turns up at places where Bradley frequents, for example, a diner where Bradley often eats meals.
“I live in Jefferson County; I work in Jefferson County. I park my truck there (at the diner). It’s awful funny that he winds up where I am,” Bradley said. “Does that mean I’m stalking him, or he’s stalking me?”
Bradley said the incident on Monday started because he believed the deputy flipped him off.
“He said he was waving at me and we had words,” Bradley said. “I made the mistake of touching him. I wasn’t pounding on his chest with my finger. I’m a guy who talks with his hands a lot.”
“A handshake is more violent than what I did. I touched his chest.
“Next thing I know, he pulls out his mace and maces me.”
Bradley said he did not try to resist arrest.
“He was wrestling, trying to get my arm behind my back. All I was trying to do is keep my glasses from getting broken and putting them in my pocket,” he said. “This is a way to embarrass me. I was roughed up. In my opinion, the officer was trying to hurt me.”
Bradley said he had not been to see a doctor, but that he suffered a cut to his arm, a bruise, and might have a broken bone.
Bradley said he had not yet contacted an attorney, but probably would do so.
“I have one in mind,” he said.
He said he does not intend to quit as mayor.
“I did this (ran for mayor) as a way to give back to my community and I am proud of what I have done so far,” he said.
Under his watch, the city’s Police Department has dramatically improved, Bradley said.
“I cleaned up the Police Department and it’s running well. Morale is the best it’s ever been.”
Hillsboro Ward 1 Alderperson Joe Phillips said he had no comment and added that it would be inappropriate for anyone on the board to comment on Monday’s vote.
Hillsboro city attorney Bianca Eden also refused to comment.
Bradley said he has had numerous conflicts with the Board of Alderpersons during his 10 months in office.
“There isn’t one mayor there, there is five,” he said. “I come in, I stir the pot. There are a bunch of board members who are jealous of my position.”