Mark Sohn
Service Record
Boynton Beach Florida Police Department
| Rank | Officer |
| Dates of Service | 2002 - August 19, 2022. |
| Last Known Status | Terminated[1] |
Commendations
Sohn's personnel file includes over 140 pages of compliments, award nominations, and awards, including a Police Duty Ribbon, Exceptional Police Duty Medal, and Officer of the Quarter.[2]
2007 Officer of the Month
In October 2007, Sohn was named the agency's Officer of the Month.[3]
2016 Award Nominations
In January 2016, Sohn was nominated for Officer of the Month and a Police Duty Medal for his "excellent police work in the face of extreme danger".[2]
2019 Lifesaving Award
On April 16, 2019, Sohn received the Lifesaving Award.[4]
Incident Reports
During his time with the Boynton Beach Police Department, Sohn was disciplined at least 14 times.[2]
2002 Firearm Discharge
In August 2002, Sohn accidentally fired his gun. No one was injured.[2]
Response Timeline
Sohn received a written reprimand.[2]
2004 Pursuit
In 2004, Sohn was one of three officers who pursued a stolen car in rush-hour traffic.[1]
Response Timeline
Sohn was suspended for a week for violating the department's pursuit policy.[1]
2004 Insubordination
In October 2004, Sohn was "profane and insubordinate" to a sergeant after he was asked to complete a training lesson.[2]
Response Timeline
Sohn was disciplined.[2]
2010 Pursuit
In 2010, Sohn was involved in a vehicle pursuit.[1]
Response Timeline
Sohn was disciplined.[1]
2012 Death of Cyrus Deal
On June 30, 2012, Sohn attempted to pull over Cyrus Deal, who he believed was driving a stolen vehicle. Deal fled, reaching speeds of over 100 mph before crashing. Deal died from his injuries.[2][1]
Response Timeline
An investigation found the pursuit violated the department's policies, and Sohn was suspended for one day without pay.[1][2]
2015 Insubordination
In October 2015, Sohn was seen carving the handle of a Taser during a presentation and spoke to a supervisor "in a very defiant tone of voice".[2]
Response Timeline
Sohn was suspended for two days without pay.[2]
2016 Death of Jayden Readon
On February 13, 2016, Sohn pursued Lex Eugene, whose vehicle had an expired license plate. Eugene lost control and fatally struck Jayden Readon.[2][1][5]
Response Timeline
Sohn was not disciplined or investigated.[1]
In 2019, Eugene was convicted of vehicular homicide and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.[2]
Readon's family filed a lawsuit against Sohn, Eugene, and the city.[2]
2017 Arrest of Patrick McFadden
In September 2017, Sohn responded to a call of a man and woman "punching each other" in a car. McFadden drove off when officers arrived, leading them on a pursuit. After McFadden stopped, Sohn released his K-9, who bit McFadden on his hand and arm.[2]
Response Timeline
McFadden filed a lawsuit, claiming battery and unnecessary use of force.[2]
2021 Death of Stanley Davis
On December 26, 2021, the 13-year-old Davis rode his dirt bike to a gas station. Sohn attempted to stop Davis, who fled and led Sohn on a chase that reached speeds of 85 miles per hour.[1]
Davis lost control and crashed. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene.[2]
Department policies allow for chases only when there is reasonable belief that a forcible felony has been committed.[1]
Sohn's vehicle was not equiped with a dashboard camera.[6] Part of the pursuit was captured on surveillance video.
Response Timeline
On December 26, 2021, Sohn was placed on administrative leave.[1]
The family filed a lawsuit against the city.[1]
In March 2022, the Florida Highway Patrol's homicide investigation determined that no charges would be filed against Sohn "because the at-fault person expired as a result of the crash".[1]
On August 18, 2022, a city investigation found that Sohn had "clearly and unequivocally" violated the city's policies and procedures when he "initiated a pursuit, and re-established that pursuit". They also noted that "in this instance, instead of accepting responsibility for violating the City's policies and procedures, you have chosen to stand on the fact that you ‘were just doing your job'".
On August 19, 2022, Sohn was terminated.
On May 29, 2024 an arbitrator ruled that the department must rehire Sohn as the city did not have "just cause" to fire him. Sohn would not receive pay for the period of his termination. The city can appeal the ruling.[7]
On July 16, 2024, the City Commissioners voted to appeal the arbitrator’s decision.[8]
Public Comments
LEO Ratings
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Angie DiMichele, ‘We are all relieved’: Boynton Beach Police officer fired for high-speed pursuit that ended with death of 13-year-old boy, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 2022-08-19
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 Angie DiMichele, Boynton Beach officer in dirt bike death suspended multiple times after pursuits, records show. Victim’s family wants him fired., South Florida Sun Sentinel, 2022-03-01
- ↑ Code Three, Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, 2008-02
- ↑ Miranda Christian, Boynton Beach Police Department honors dedicated officers, dispatchers, WPTV, 2019-04-16
- ↑ Marc Freeman, A little boy was walking to a park when a reckless driver killed him. The felon is now off to prison., South Florida Sun Sentinel, 2019-04-03
- ↑ Eileen Kelley, Family of teen killed in dirt-bike crash plan to sue, saying Boynton officer, city must be held accountable in child’s death, South Florida Sun Sentinel, 2022-01-14
- ↑ Matt Papaycik, Fired Boynton Beach police officer should get job back, arbitrator rules, WPTV, 2024-05-29
- ↑ Ari Hait, City of Boynton Beach fighting to prevent a fired police officer from getting his job back, WPBF, 2024-07-16
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