Brevard Sheriff Releases Helicopter Pursuit Video

By  //  March 8, 2012

accused of killing Deputy Barbara Pill

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — The Brevard County Sheriff Department released from their communications center in Rockledge the dramatic video of the police chase and 911 today regarding the shooting and killing of 52-year-old Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Barbara Pill.

Brevard County Deputy Barbara Pill, above left, was shot and killed March 6 after pulling over Brandon Bradley, above right, and Andria Kerchner, top right. They have been charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder. BCSO image

While being chased by a helicopter and cruisers from both the Melbourne Police Department and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, 22-year-old Brandon Lee Bradley overturned his white Ford truck on Turtle Mound Road after the Melbourne Police Department successfully deployed stop sticks.

Bradley, 22, is accused of killing Deputy Barbara Pill as she responded to a call about property theft Tuesday morning.

Police say Bradley has an extensive criminal background and had four active warrants for his arrest at the time of the incident. He’s charged with first degree premeditate murder.

Andria Kerchner, 19, was in a vehicle with Bradley at the time of the shooting. She also has a criminal background and is now charged with robbery with a deadly weapon.

Deputy Pill had been in law enforcement for 30 years and served 15 years with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department.

No Bond For Suspected Murders

A judge yesterday ordered Bradley and Kerchner, accused of robbery and killing Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Barbara Pill, to be held without bond.

Sheriff Jack Parker
Sheriff Jack Parker

“She (Barbara) is one of the finest deputies around. When you met her, she was one of the kindest people you would ever meet.” – Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker 

Bradley and Kerchner, both appeared in court at the Brevard County jail in Sharpes. Each wore a green quilted suicide smock and stood behind a window facing a judge who appeared on a TV screen.

Their wrists and ankles were chained together in cuffs.

“When can I put on regular clothes like the other inmates?” Kerchner asked the judge. “I’m freezing.”

When Kerchner was asked by the judge about the charges against her she said, “I didn’t shoot the gun.”

An assistant state attorney asked that Kerncher and Bradley be held without bond, calling them a flight risk. Sheriff’s officials said the suspects fled after Bradley shot and killed Pill in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Bradley is alleged to have fired the gun, but both suspects are being held on murder and robbery charges. Bradley is accused of first-degree premeditated murder and Kerchner faces a felony murder charge.

Bradley appeared before the judge first. Both suspects left the jail courtroom escorted by deputies wearing black memorial bands across their badges, a symbol marking Pill’s death.