The Pinellas County Sheriff went to bat for his deputy after video of his deputy breaking up a beach fight went viral. “The deputy didn’t cause this,” said Sheriff Gualtieri, “these thugs caused this.”

Click here to view the now-viral video of deputy breaking up beach fracas. 

“This is what cops do,” he said. “He responded appropriately. … He acted within policy.” Sheriff Gualtieri used the press conference as an opportunity to educate the public and the press about the challenges of law enforcement, as well as the challenges of the property where the fight occurred.

Sgt. Bryan Bingham then graciously thanked the public for its support.