Who Is Officer Daniel Rippeon? A Closer Look at the Edgewater Arrest That Sparked Outrage
Officer Daniel Rippeon stands, the officer accused of unlawfully arresting a CVS worker without cause.
EDGEWATER, FLORIDA – The name Officer Daniel Rippeon is making waves far beyond Volusia County following a disturbing incident involving the controversial arrest of a young man outside a local CVS. What began as an ordinary night for 22-year-old Paul Wert ended in handcuffs, fear, and over two days behind bars—all for waiting on a bench after work.
Now, body camera footage, community outrage, and mounting pressure are calling into question not just Rippeon’s actions, but the integrity of Edgewater’s policing as a whole.
In this comprehensive report, STREET MEDIA TV breaks down what happened, why the story is gaining national traction, and what it tells us about policing, profiling, and public accountability in 2025.
The Incident: What Officer Daniel Rippeon Did on May 10
On Saturday, May 10th, just minutes after 10:00 p.m., Paul Wert exited the CVS where he worked and sat on a nearby bench to wait for a Lyft his sister had ordered. He wore a hoodie, looked tired, and kept to himself.
According to arrest records, Officer Daniel Rippeon of the Edgewater Police Department claimed he spotted Wert “acting suspiciously” in front of the closed business. Rippeon’s arrest report alleged that Wert tried to “hide behind a pillar,” a claim not supported by the body camera footage later released to the public.
Instead, the footage shows a calm young man sitting in plain sight. He had done nothing illegal—no trespassing, no loitering signs in view. He simply sat and waited, hoodie on, phone in hand. Within minutes, that mundane act spiraled into a violent confrontation.
“You’re Detained”: The Beginning of an Unjust Arrest
The bodycam footage, lasting just over nine minutes, tells a chilling story.
Rippeon pulled up in his cruiser, stepped out, and immediately began interrogating Wert. Despite Wert calmly explaining that he had just finished his shift, Rippeon told him he was being detained. When Wert stood up to meet his ride, the officer escalated.
“I’ll tase you,” Rippeon warned as the young man tried to comply and explain.
From there, things spiraled quickly. The officer handcuffed him, made threats about using a police dog, and placed Wert in the back of his cruiser. By the end of the video, Rippeon is heard telling his sergeant, “I do believe he works here, but I’m not going to let him dictate to me… he’s going to learn the hard way.”
The Charges: Resisting Without Violence
Paul Wert was charged with resisting an officer without violence, a charge that has drawn widespread criticism.
His family—particularly his grandparents, Paul and Helen Wert—publicly addressed the Edgewater City Council, urging them to review the footage and seek outside investigation.
“This was bogus. He didn’t do anything wrong. He got off work and was waiting for a ride. That’s it,” said grandfather Paul Wert.
Community Reaction: From Quiet Town to Viral Controversy
The town of Edgewater has never seen this level of scrutiny. Once a quiet Florida community, Edgewater is now at the center of a growing national conversation about over-policing, racial profiling, and officer misconduct.
At the heart of this storm: Officer Daniel Rippeon.
Social media campaigns using the hashtag #JusticeForPaulWert have emerged, and local residents are demanding action. “If this can happen to him, it can happen to any of our kids,” said one resident at the most recent town hall meeting.
The incident is especially poignant for working-class families. Wert had just completed his shift at a low-wage retail job. He wasn’t loitering—he was tired. He wasn’t threatening—he was wearing a hoodie in public.
Bodycam Footage vs. Arrest Report: A Discrepancy Worth Investigating
One of the most damning aspects of this case is the stark contrast between Officer Rippeon’s arrest report and what is shown on the body camera footage.
Rippeon stated that Wert attempted to flee, that he acted suspiciously, and that he tried to hide. None of this appears in the footage. In fact, the video suggests that Rippeon arrived with his mind already made up.
This inconsistency has sparked calls for not only internal review but also independent oversight.
A Pattern of Behavior?
While this specific incident is receiving the most attention, some residents claim it’s not isolated.
Multiple community members have come forward to express concern over Officer Daniel Rippeon’s conduct in the past. Though no official complaints have been made public, anonymous testimonies submitted to STREET MEDIA TV describe Rippeon as “aggressive,” “power-tripping,” and “always looking to escalate.”
Local civil rights advocates are pushing for a full audit of all arrests made by Officer Rippeon in the past 24 months.
Civil Rights and Legal Ramifications
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has taken interest in the case and may pursue legal action against the Edgewater Police Department depending on the outcome of internal investigations.
Legal experts consulted by STREET MEDIA TV suggest the arrest may constitute an unlawful detention and a violation of Fourth Amendment protections.
“If a citizen is not suspected of committing a crime and is simply detained because an officer doesn’t like their appearance, that’s a serious civil rights issue,” said civil rights attorney Olivia Carter.
Public Pressure Mounts: What Will the City Do?
As public pressure mounts, all eyes are on the Edgewater City Council. So far, city officials have released minimal statements, claiming that the matter is “under review.”
But residents aren’t buying it.
“Review means nothing unless someone is held accountable,” one attendee at Monday’s city council meeting shouted from the audience. The council was pressed repeatedly by the Wert family and concerned citizens to suspend Officer Rippeon pending a formal investigation.
Hoodie Profiling and the Legacy of Trayvon Martin
This case eerily echoes past tragedies involving young men of color or working-class backgrounds being targeted for simply wearing hoodies. The legacy of Trayvon Martin—a Black teen gunned down in Sanford, Florida for wearing a hoodie—looms heavily in the public discourse surrounding this case.
While Paul Wert is not Black, the profiling and assumptions based on his attire and demeanor reflect systemic issues in American policing that extend across racial and class lines.
“He’s Traumatized”: The Toll on Paul Wert
According to his grandfather, Wert is still emotionally shaken by the arrest.
“He’s traumatized. He’s scared to walk outside now,” Wert’s grandfather told STREET MEDIA TV.
This trauma isn’t just emotional—it’s economic. Wert lost wages, missed work, and is now entangled in a legal process for doing absolutely nothing wrong. The charge, while minor on paper, carries the weight of a criminal record and potential barriers to employment.
What Happens Next?
The community is demanding several outcomes:
- Immediate suspension of Officer Daniel Rippeon.
- Dismissal of all charges against Paul Wert.
- An external, independent investigation into the Edgewater Police Department.
- Implementation of new training protocols to prevent future incidents.
Until those steps are taken, protests and calls for justice are expected to continue.
Officer Daniel Rippeon: Accountability or Impunity?
As of this writing, Officer Rippeon remains on active duty. The Edgewater Police Department has not released a statement beyond the brief arrest summary initially filed.
But with video evidence circulating widely online, and calls for justice growing louder, the question is no longer whether the department can act—but whether they will.
The name Officer Daniel Rippeon is now permanently linked to a national conversation about unjust arrests and policing power. How the city responds could shape not just one man’s future, but the perception of Edgewater law enforcement for years to come.
Final Thoughts: This Is Bigger Than One Officer
While this article focuses on Officer Daniel Rippeon, the incident is symbolic of deeper issues: abuse of authority, profiling based on appearance, and the human cost of minor charges rooted in ego rather than justice.
Paul Wert didn’t resist, run or break the law.
He just wore a hoodie and waited for a Lyft.
For that, Officer Daniel Rippeon decided he needed to “learn the hard way.”
And now, so might Rippeon—if justice, transparency, and public pressure prevail.
