BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — Family members of Stanley Davis III say they will keep fighting after Boynton Beach commissioners voted unanimously to appeal an arbitrator's recommendation to rehire former police officer Mark Sohn.
"It is outrageous. I believe and I still believe, and I stand by firmly that he should not get his job back in this city," community activist Bryce Graham said. "It will be a detriment to this city and to this family."
In 2021, Davis died from crashing his dirt bike as Sohn was in pursuit of him for speeding. Sohn was fired nearly eight months later.
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Back in May, an arbitrator stated Sohn should get his role back without any back pay, benefits, or seniority.
In addition, a Florida Highway Patrol investigation previously found that Sohn did not act improperly while pursuing Davis and should not face any criminal charges.
The report added there was no physical contact between Sohn's vehicle and Davis' dirt bike.
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At the commissioners' meeting Tuesday, Davis' family members said that they were not notified that the discussion was on the agenda and that it shouldn't have taken this long to make the appeal. Although the commissioners voted 3-0 siding with the Davis family, the arbitrator has an opportunity to deny the appeal.
"The city intends to exhaust all means in this case to ensure a fair and equitable process for the community and the city of Boynton Beach," Dani Moschella, a spokeswoman for the city said.
WPTV Reporter Zitlali Solache spoke with Davis' aunt who said that the appeal is still not enough, and they want to take legal action.
