Castroville police chief accused of repeatedly using N-word during murder investigation

The Castroville city council is scheduled to discuss the employment status of the town’s police chief Tuesday night, days after he was accused of repeatedly using the N-word at a murder scene earlier this month. Chief Brian Jackson, who is accused of saying the racial slur at least three times, was recorded on a body camera worn by a Medina County Sheriff’s Office deputy, a source familiar with the incident confirmed Monday. Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown told the KSAT 12 Defenders late Monday that he contacted several Castroville city officials after hearing inappropriate language in the footage. Brown declined to discuss the exact nature of Jackson’s comments and referred additional inquiries to Medina County District Attorney Mark Haby.

Haby was in court Tuesday morning and unavailable for comment. The KSAT 12 Defenders have requested the body-worn camera footage related to the incident. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including MCSO and Castroville PD, responded near Houston Street and Hwy. 90 Feb. 5, after a body was found. A Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman on Monday identified the victim in the case as Elijah Chandler and said a suspect, Jeremiah Brown, has now been charged. The spokesman stated its Rangers division is assisting Castroville PD with the case. A source familiar with the murder investigation said Jackson was recorded saying the slur three times, while discussing where the victim was from. Jackson did not respond to an email seeking comment for this story. Castroville Mayor Darrin Schroeder released the following statement via email Tuesday morning: