The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a viral TikTok video of the son of a deputy alleging that his father abuses his family.
Carson Burks, under the TikTok handle “burkeyy23,” took to the social media platform alleging his father, who has been a deputy for over a decade, abuses his family "financially, mentally and physically." He did not identify his father but posted a video of the father in an altercation with his children. Carson Burks can be heard telling his father to “keep going” as the father approaches him. A Jefferson County deputy patrol vehicle is parked in front of the family’s house.
Burks said that he is afraid for his mother’s safety and said his father is given preferential treatment when law enforcement is called.
“What am I supposed to do?” Burks said in the video. “What am I supposed to do when the abuser is not only supposed to protect me but protect you and his county doesn’t want to help? Nothing ever comes out of it. What am I supposed to do when the local police come, and they say, ‘Oh, he’s just a fellow cop, we have got to back the blue, we have got to protect him’?”
@burkeyy23 i just want it to all end, it’s not right for him get away with all this and still be able to put on a badge #fyp #police #deputy #abuse #dvawareness ♬ original sound - burkeyy23
“The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is aware of the concerns and discussions circulating on social media regarding a matter,” the sheriff’s office responded. “We understand the level of public interest and want the community to know that this matter has not been ignored. It is being taken seriously and is currently under review through the appropriate internal processes.”
The sheriff’s office said that because the incident involves personnel, it cannot be discussed publicly.
“We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as that process moves forward,” the sheriff’s office added.
Burks created a GoFundMe account after being advised to retain an attorney. The account has raised over $4,500 in less than a week.
The claims made in the video are merely allegations, and no charges have been filed.
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