RALEIGH, N.C. _ Wake County Sheriff's Deputy Cameron Broadwell pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor charges in the case of siccing a K-9 dog on an unarmed man last year.
Broadwell will permanently surrender his law enforcement certification. He wept as he admitted his guilt.
The state dropped felony assault charges as part of his plea agreement.
His plea came after three days of testimony, including evidence from Raleigh police officers who said the victim posed no immediate threat.
Broadwell was the sixth officer on the scene, responding to 911 calls about a man screaming in the middle of Raleigh Boulevard.
Kyron Hinton, 30, suffered multiple bites and a broken orbital bone.
Broadwell accepted charges of willfully failing to discharge duty.
Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway called the case a "tragedy."
"It's one opinions were high on," he said.
Broadwell's lawyer, Joe Zeszotarski, said, "He has been punished, your honor. He has given up his career. It was what he always wanted to be. It was what he always wanted to do."
District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said, "The actions of Mr. Broadwell on that evening were excessive and unnecessary and against the policies if his agency."
"Today marks a big day in this community," Freeman said. "We appreciate the acceptance of responsibility."
