Retired Charlotte County deputy cleared criminally in fatal shooting but found to violate policy

The State Attorney’s Office determined on June 30 that there was no violation of the law in the case involving a Charlotte County deputy who shot and killed a man during a confrontation along Saxony Circle in Deep Creek in September 2025. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, an internal investigation found that the deputy, Timothy Poole, violated multiple policies, including the use of deadly force or non-deadly force contrary to the rules, regulations and procedures. Sheriff Bill Prummell said in the statement on the sheriff's office's website that if not for the fact that Poole retired after the shooting, Prummell would have intended to withdraw Poole's appointment. The statement read that the investigation found Poole used poor tactics because Daniel Scott Burch was able to knock the deputy's hand to the side. Poole also failed to de-escalate the situation before and after the Taser was used, and the sheriff's office said he escalated it by using confrontational and derogatory language towards Burch. Additionally, they said Poole did not de-escalate the situation by transitioning to his gun and not using other non-lethal options, as well as only being about six to eight feet away from Burch. CCSO said that against training techniques, Poole attempted to go at Burch to take him into custody before the shooting happened. On Sept. 23, 2025, deputies responded to a condo complex multiple times for calls that possibly involved Burch. The first was related to criminal mischief that morning and Prummell said at the time that it was believed Burch was responsible for some damage around his neighbor's property, but there was no evidence. The responding deputy only documented the damage and left. Later that day, CCSO was called back by Burch's neighbor, who said Burch had physically assaulted him at the Deep Creek Golf Club. The victim, who lived next door to Burch, was escorted by Poole back to his residence because he was afraid to go on his own. Body camera footage that was released then showed Poole and Burch's confrontation, during which Poole shot Burch. Burch was taken to the hospital and died on Sept. 25, 2025. Poole was employed with the sheriff's office for 22 years. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.