The Dallas City Council is set to deliberate on whether to increase the legal defense budget for Brad Alan Cox, a Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedic involved in a controversial incident captured on body camera footage.
Cox was seen kicking and punching a homeless man during a 2019 encounter. If approved, the additional $50,000 would bring the total amount allocated for his defense to $150,000, according to a draft agenda for the December 11 council meeting.
Cox was initially fired following the August 2019 incident, but a 2023 administrative ruling required the City to reinstate him, albeit with a demotion and no back pay for wages lost during his termination.
Despite his reinstatement, Cox’s actions remain a source of public and legal scrutiny.
A grand jury declined to indict him in 2022, but the fallout from the case has continued. The City is now considering whether to fund his defense in a pending federal lawsuit filed by the victim, Kyle Vess.
The incident in question occurred when Cox and other firefighters responded to a grass fire allegedly started by Vess, who was reportedly homeless and had a history of mental illness and a traumatic brain injury.
Body camera footage shows Cox kicking Vess in the head and punching him after a brief confrontation. Vess suffered multiple injuries, including facial fractures and a swollen ankle. While Vess faced initial charges of assaulting a public servant, those charges were later dropped.
In 2021, Vess filed a federal lawsuit against Cox and the City of Dallas, alleging excessive force and seeking damages.
The case has been delayed pending a determination of Vess’s competency. His family asserts that his mental health challenges made him particularly vulnerable during the encounter, and the lawsuit has reignited debate about how first responders handle situations involving individuals with mental illnesses.
Cox’s history has added to the controversy.
Reports indicate that he was involved in a separate 2016 incident with another homeless man, Hirschell Fletcher. During that event, paramedics allegedly mocked Fletcher, who was suffering from a head injury. In both cases, the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department and Cox’s actions have raised broader questions about training, accountability, and treatment of vulnerable populations.
A key point of contention is whether the City is obligated to cover Cox’s legal expenses.
A source indicated that the City is not legally required to fund his defense, but the council may choose to authorize the additional amount to ensure adequate representation. Public reaction to the potential allocation has been mixed, with many questioning the appropriateness of City resources being used in this manner.
As the City Council prepares to vote on the matter, the decision will likely have implications beyond Cox’s individual case. It could potentially influence public trust in local government and the perception of how justice is handled for incidents involving City employees.
The December 11 meeting is expected to be closely watched by advocates and critics alike.