A Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested in Key West after an altercation that escalated into violence, officials said. Nicholas Joseph Galbo, 42, stands accused of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor battery following an incident involving a woman and a couple who attempted to intervene. According to NBC Miami, the dispute occurred on Simonton Street around 1 a.m.
Attempting to help, the couple found themselves in a precarious situation when Galbo allegedly assaulted the man and brandished a knife. It was reported by authorities that Galbo, who had been drinking, then pursued the couple to their home, threatening them with a knife. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office informed that while no serious injuries were sustained during the encounter, Galbo could face termination from his role as deputy. Sheriff Rick Ramsay expressed his intent to terminate Galbo's employment pending a pre-termination hearing, Local 10 reported.
Adding more detail to the incident, the altercation started as what appeared to be a "dating violence" situation involving Galbo and his romantic partner, who is reportedly a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. The Key West Police Department stated that the two were out, having watched a Florida Panthers hockey game, and had been drinking. Witnesses saw Galbo grabbing and shouting at his romantic partner to "put her f---ing shoes on," which led to the intervention by the married couple. During the altercation, Galbo's badge fell to the ground and was retrieved by one of the bystanders, worsening the situation, as detailed by Local 10.
With the encounter further unraveling, Galbo, having realized his badge was in someone else's hands, began screaming at the couple and following them home. According to the same police report, once at the couple's residence, Galbo pulled out a pocket knife and made stabbing motions at them while inside their garage, leaving them "in fear for their life." Both Galbo and the male bystander admitted to "getting into a physical altercation at some point during the incident," indicating the violence that had transpired. Galbo's girlfriend provided little information regarding the sequence of events, the police mentioned, according to Local 10.
Galbo is currently held at a Key West jail facility, with his arraignment scheduled for July 3. This is not his first encounter with the law; nearly ten years ago, he was arrested on a domestic violence charge. The Monroe County court records indicate the earlier battery case was dropped after completing a pre-trial intervention program.
