


A Boston-area cop, who was previously named “Officer of the Year,” is facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill two security guards and a sheriff’s deputy at Disney World.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies say Brookline Det. Duane Danforth, 39, approached a roped-off area at the United Kingdom Lochside at Epcot — where a private event was taking place — on Jan. 30 at around 9:25 p.m.
Disney security guard, Jeffrey Alves Barnett, said he instructed Danforth, who was carrying a young girl in his arms and appeared to be intoxicated, to “go around,” according to an affidavit obtained by the Boston Globe.
But Danforth instead came back and tried to remove the ropes that were in place, the affidavit claims.
He then allegedly approached Barnett and told him, “I’m going to “f–king kill you” before shoving him aside.
Danforth also allegedly shoved another security guard, identified as Andrew William Blackport, who was standing nearby.
Blackport would later tell deputies he heard Danforth scream “I will f–king kill you” multiple times and that he had a “crazy look in his eyes and appeared intoxicated.”
When Orange County Deputy Dagoberto Almeida arrived on the scene and tried to speak with the suspect, Danforth allegedly shoved him as well.
“I immediately regained my balance and I attempted to secure Duane,” Almeida writes in the affidavit.
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“During that time, I redirected Duane to the floor to try to secure him. While Duane was on the floor, he attempted to resist and tense up as we tried to maintain control, and secure him with my handcuffs,” he added, according to Boston 25 News.
“I gave Duane verbal commands to stop resisting and Duane continued to push away.”
Deputies also noted that multiple park guests recorded the alleged altercation.
He is now charged with battery, assault and battery on law enforcement, and resisting an officer without violence.
The officer was released on bond with orders to have no contact with the alleged victims, stay away from Epcot, not possess weapons and surrender any firearms, the Globe reports.
Meanwhile, Danforth will remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, Brookline Police said.

The union representing Brookline police also said it was “aware of the allegations against Det. Danforth and recognize that they are serious.
“We are committed to working with the administration as a thorough investigation is done,” the Brookline Police Union said in a statement.
But the union noted that Danforth has served on the police force for 14 years and won the title of “Officer of the Year” in 2021.
He is also a United States Army veteran.
“Despite Det. Danforth’s many years of service to our country and community, we also recognize that no person is perfect,” the statement said.
“We believe that one single instance of alleged misconduct should not overshadow his otherwise exemplary service to Brookline and our country.”