🇺🇸”Cops Slam Black Army Master Sergeant — Pentagon Response Costs City $10.5 Million”
What began as a seemingly routine encounter at a Savannah airport terminal would escalate into one of the most shocking cases of police misconduct in recent history. In an act of blatant racial profiling, Officer Derek Landry and his partner, Officer Brian Hayes, detained and physically accosted Master Sergeant Darius Cole, a 43-year-old Army Special Operations soldier, while he was traveling on official orders. What followed was not only a violation of Cole’s constitutional rights but an unprecedented legal battle that would cost the city of Savannah $10.5 million and permanently ruin the careers of the officers involved.
At the heart of this scandal is a series of illegal actions by Landry, a 14-year veteran of the Savannah Airport Police Department, who had a history of complaints about racial profiling. Despite having seven formal complaints in his personnel file—none of which were ever addressed—Landry continued his aggressive behavior unchecked. On this particular morning, his target was Cole, a decorated Army master sergeant traveling on official orders from Fort Bragg to Tampa.
Master Sergeant Cole’s military service record spoke for itself: 17 years of distinguished service, multiple combat deployments, and the respect of his peers and subordinates. He was traveling with classified documents and was required by military protocol to wear his uniform. As a part of his operational security, he did not display unit patches, a standard practice for Special Operations personnel. To the untrained eye, it might have seemed like just another Army soldier making his way through an airport, but to Officer Landry, Cole was a target—simply because of his skin color.
Around 10:00 a.m., Cole was walking through the terminal when Landry, who had been standing by the security checkpoint, locked eyes with him. Without any provocation or legitimate suspicion, Landry decided to approach Cole. “Hey, you in the uniform, stop right there,” Landry ordered, signaling the start of an illegal stop based on nothing more than Cole’s appearance.
Despite his 17 years of service, the Master Sergeant responded with calm discipline, saying, “Yes, sir,” as he waited for clarification. But instead of a standard procedure or any explanation, Landry immediately escalated the situation. “Where are you coming from?” he asked. Cole replied that he was coming from Fort Bragg and was traveling to Tampa. Landry then demanded that Cole produce orders and military identification. Cole complied, reaching for his documents slowly to ensure there was no misunderstanding.
What followed was a blatant violation of protocol and constitutional law. Landry, without any reason, began questioning Cole’s identification, stating that he didn’t “look like a master sergeant” and accusing him of potentially being a fraud. The phrase “guys like you think a uniform gets you special treatment” was captured on both officers’ body cameras and would later be cited as clear evidence of racial bias.
Despite providing his military ID and travel orders, which were legitimate and could be easily verified, Landry refused to acknowledge the documents and insisted that Cole was being uncooperative. In fact, it was Landry and Hayes who were not cooperating with the law. Cole repeatedly stated that he had done nothing wrong, was complying with all requests, and had every right to travel in his military uniform.
The escalation continued as Cole was forced to stand still while Landry proceeded to use excessive force, pulling Cole’s arm behind his back and handcuffing him, despite his clear compliance. As Cole lay on the airport floor, his body pinned by Landry’s knee, witnesses began recording the entire incident. By this point, a retired Marine Colonel and a TSA supervisor had stepped forward, concerned by the clear mistreatment of a service member in uniform.
Witnesses, including those filming on their phones, voiced their concerns, with one civilian even calling 911 to report what was unfolding. “That’s Army Special Operations with combat ribbons,” the Marine Colonel said, trying to reason with Landry. But the officers ignored the crowd and continued to detain Cole, even as more witnesses gathered. By now, the tension in the terminal was palpable, and the growing number of phones recording the interaction would ultimately seal the fate of the officers involved.
At this point, the situation took a dramatic turn. Sergeant Walker, a supervisor, arrived on the scene, and for a brief moment, it seemed like the situation might be de-escalated. But instead of questioning the basis for Cole’s detention, Walker merely nodded at Landry and allowed the illegal stop to continue. It was only when the footage was reviewed later that day that the full scope of the officers’ misconduct became clear.
The body cam footage, along with civilian recordings, exposed Landry’s unlawful actions. Cole was simply trying to go about his business, following all regulations, but was detained and brutalized simply because of his race. The footage captured Landry’s racial bias, his refusal to follow proper protocol, and his persistence in dehumanizing a respected military officer.
The fallout for the Savannah Police Department was swift and monumental. The footage went viral, attracting millions of views within hours. Legal experts and civil rights activists quickly rallied behind Cole, demanding justice. The public outrage was palpable, with many calling for the immediate firing of Officer Landry and a complete overhaul of the department. It wasn’t just a single officer’s mistake; it was a systemic failure that had allowed such behavior to continue unchecked for years.
In the days following the release of the video, the Pentagon got involved, as military personnel at Fort Bragg were alerted to the violation. Within 24 hours, a team from the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) was dispatched to Savannah to handle the case. This was no longer just a local police matter; it was now a federal issue. The Army’s swift response to the incident made it clear that any abuse of military personnel, especially active-duty soldiers, would not be tolerated.
The legal battle that followed would change the landscape of law enforcement accountability in the region. Master Sergeant Darius Cole, with the help of his attorney, filed a federal lawsuit against Officer Derek Landry, Officer Brian Hayes, and the entire Savannah Police Department. The lawsuit included charges of racial profiling, excessive use of force, and the violation of Cole’s Fourth Amendment rights. The body cam footage was the centerpiece of the case, providing undeniable evidence of the officers’ misconduct.
The settlement was staggering. The city of Savannah, fearing the public outcry and the overwhelming evidence, agreed to pay $10.5 million to settle the lawsuit. This was one of the largest police misconduct settlements in state history. The lawsuit also led to a massive overhaul of the Savannah Police Department’s policies, particularly concerning racial profiling and the treatment of military personnel.
As for Officer Derek Landry, his career came to a crashing halt. The department, in response to the mounting pressure, fired him immediately after the settlement was reached. His actions had cost him his job, his reputation, and his freedom. His fellow officers, including Hayes and Walker, were also disciplined, with Hayes receiving a suspension and Walker being reassigned.
The case also set a precedent for how police departments handle allegations of racial profiling and the excessive use of force. Following the settlement, the state passed new legislation requiring police departments to implement stricter oversight of their officers, especially regarding the treatment of military personnel and minorities. Body cameras became mandatory for all officers during interactions with the public, and departments were required to review footage regularly to ensure compliance with constitutional rights.
Master Sergeant Darius Cole’s fight for justice was not just about the $10.5 million settlement. It was about exposing the systemic issues within law enforcement and ensuring that those in power were held accountable for their actions. His case has since become a powerful symbol of the need for police reform and the fight for racial equality within the justice system.
The consequences of that fateful day in Savannah, Georgia, will reverberate for years to come. It was a moment that reminded the public, the military, and the law enforcement community alike that justice cannot be denied, and that no one, not even the police, is above the law.
