An off-duty Jacksonville Sheriff's Office officer found himself on the wrong side of the law after being charged with battery over a recent incident at a local skate park. Stephen D. Hicks, a five-year veteran of the force, was arrested following a conflict involving an e-bike-riding teenager at Jacksonville Beach's Sunshine Park. This marks the fourth arrest of a JSO employee in 2026.
Hicks allegedly grabbed the minor from the e-bike and threw him to the ground, leading to minor injuries for the teen. News4JAX reports witnesses confirmed the altercation and added that after the incident, Hicks identified himself as an officer using his police badge, before departing the scene prior to the arrival of officials. The park rules clearly state that e-bikes are not permitted, a rule that was reiterated to the teens present by authorities.
A response from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department to a report of misuse of e-bikes within the park initiated the confrontation. When interviewed by the authorities, multiple teens at the park narrated the events, leading to Hicks' identification as the adult responsible. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office shared in a release that Hicks turned himself into the JSO Integrity Unit following the incident. As per the investigation's needs, Hicks has since been administratively reassigned. Earlier accounts by First Coast News note this reassignment as standard procedure while the criminal case is ongoing.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office's history with officer misconduct continues to grow, with Hicks' case being the most recent. Prior incidents this year involved charges ranging from DUI to grand theft and official misconduct, and even witness tampering and another battery. According to the tracking by News4JAX, these arrests bring the total to four in just three weeks of the new year, outpacing last year's total of seven. Furthermore, Hicks was also involved in a shooting incident in 2024 which followed a road rage event, where a driver pulled a gun and led officers on a 30-mile chase, resulting in JSO discharging their weapons.
Details surrounding the ongoing investigation remain scarce, but the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office assures the public that proper protocols are in place to address such internal matters. Action News Jax stated that JSO's Integrity Unit is handling the investigation.
