The following article discusses the tragic events surrounding the death of Kenneth Layton and the involvement of Polk County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chad Nichols.
The Incident at Saddlehorn Drive
The incident occurred at Layton’s house at 1505 Saddlehorn Drive. Deputy Chad Nichols arrived at the scene after Layton called 911 from his North Lakeland home, claiming a suspicious man had knocked at his door.
Sheriff Grady Judd stated that Layton was hyperventilating as he talked to an operator during the 911 call. Nichols, who was in a patrol car by himself, responded to the call and knocked on the front door.
Initially, there was no response. However, Layton opened the door but did not fully appear. This raised the deputy’s suspicion, and he saw Layton pointing a firearm at him. Nichols began screaming, "Put the gun down! Put the gun down!"
Nichols backed away, moving behind his parked vehicle, but Layton followed him outside. Judd said Nichols repeatedly ordered Layton to drop the weapon. When Layton raised the gun and pointed it at Nichols, the deputy had no choice but to shoot, striking the man in the chest with a single shot.
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An emergency medical team was called, but Layton was pronounced dead at the scene in the Country Square subdivision.
Nichols’ commands were captured on a recording of the ongoing emergency call, Judd said.
Investigation and Findings
The preliminary investigation found no evidence that anyone else had been near the house, Judd said. He said a neighbor’s motion-activated video camera showed no indication of a suspicious man in the area.
Judd said Friday he didn’t know yet whether Layton’s gun was loaded. He said investigators had talked by phone with Layton’s son, who lives in Hernando County, and he confirmed that his father was in despair following his wife’s death.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, neighbors told PCSO investigators that Layton’s wife died of cancer about two months prior, and Layton had been despondent since.
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“Ladies and gentleman, this is a classic, a classic, suicide by cop,” Judd told media members. “It’s just a sad situation. I’m sorry he put us in that situation. I’m sorry he didn’t allow us to help him.”
The State Attorney’s Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit will conduct an independent investigation of the death, as will the Medical Examiner’s Office, Judd said.
Following protocol, PCSO’s homicide unit will investigate the shooting, and an administrative review will also be completed. As is customary, Nichols will be placed on paid administrative leave during the initial stages of the PCSO investigations.
Deputy Chad Nichols
Judd said Nichols has been with the agency for 15 years. Nichols, whose age was not available Friday, will have access to counseling as he copes with the event, Judd said.
“This is a horrible event to occur to anyone, and certainly now I’ve got a 15-year deputy by the name of Chad Nichols who is very experienced - Chad Nichols is as good as any deputy who’s ever walked the face of the Earth - who’s got to live with this the rest of his life. And all he was doing was defending himself,” Judd said. “But Chad said it became abundantly evident that he was going to make (him) shoot him.”
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“It’s traumatic enough when you’re shooting a really bad guy, but it’s really traumatic when after it’s all over you find out that he’s using you as a vehicle to commit suicide and he’s left you with that baggage,” Judd said.
Judd said his deputies are willing to do what they can to help residents receive psychiatric care. That includes invoking the Baker Act to deliver someone deemed a danger to himself or others for a psychiatric assessment.
Community Reaction
Katie Kinchen, a resident of the Country Square subdivision, stood nearby and watched Friday afternoon as Judd delivered information to media members. Kinchen said she had been walking in the neighborhood when she saw paramedics arrive, headed for Layton’s house.
Kinchen said she didn’t know Layton well. “Sometimes I’d walk around, but I’d just wave at him,” she said. “I really didn’t know him.
The neighborhood where the incident occurred, near Marcum Road, consists of modest, single-story houses. Polk County property records show Layton bought his house in 2014.
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