Monday, December 9, 2024
LAKE WORTH — Former Lake Worth Police Commander Landon Rollins, 44, has been arrested and indicted on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with a government document.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Rollins turned himself in to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office after a grand jury indicted him on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of tampering with a government record.
According to the indictment, on May 14, 2024, Rollins allegedly hit Tyler McKinney with a radio, or a hard object. Then, Rollins allegedly gave false testimony about what happened in an incident report, claiming McKinney hit his head on the concrete.
Lake Worth Police Chief J.T. Manoushagian told the Tri-County Reporter the department was made aware of the situation after junior officers reported the incident a few days after May 14.
“When we were made aware of the severity of the incident, we immediately placed the officer on administrative leave,” Manoushagian said. “(We) confiscated (his) badge, gun and ID and immediately contacted the Texas Rangers and launched an internal investigation at that time, in mid to late May. After that, the Texas Rangers began their part and we began an internal investigation.”
Going a step further, the Lake Worth PD asked the city’s legal team to do an internal investigation in an effort to remove any bias given Rollins’ position within the department.
“We just felt like it was best to have an independent group come in and do that, so that was turned over to city legal and then the Rangers conducted a parallel investigation,” Manoushagian said.
After the chief was given all the findings of the investigation, Rollins’ employment ended July 8. Manoushagian says it's very important for police to adhere to departmental policies in order to be leaders and exemplify ethical police conduct.
“Our job as police leaders is to create the framework for ethical, professional police conduct and we use policies to outline the boundaries and the expectations that we expect our employees to adhere to,” Manoushagian said.
After Rollins turned himself in Nov. 12, he posted $5,000 bond and was released from the Tarrant County jail.
A DECORATED OFFICER
Rollins graduated Azle High School in 1998. He is an Air Force veteran who served his country in Iraq and continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve. He holds numerous academic degrees, including a master’s degree in criminal justice from Tarleton State University and a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice administration from Texas Christian University. Rollins is a graduate of Leadership Command College, class No. 86, Law Enforcement Management Institute (LEMIT).
He has served with the Irving Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department and Lake Worth Police Department.
Rollins is a highly-decorated police officer, whose awards include: The Trilogy Award, FBI LEEDA series, March 2022; Fort Worth Police Department Medal of Valor, April 29, 2021; Outstanding Graduate for the Tarleton State University Department of Criminal Justice, Master's Program, Fall 2020; American Police Hall of Fame Silver Star for Bravery, December 16, 2019; State of Texas Public Service Award/Medal 2019; Fort Worth Police Department Officer of the Year, 2017; Life Saving Award 2016; State of Texas Award/Medal for Valor 2013; Certificate of Merit, June 2013, two in December 2012, November 2005 and December 2005; Police Commendation Bars July 2012, April 2009; Officer of the Quarter October through December 2011; more than 50 paper commendations since being sworn.
