The Story of Dan Lajack

In April 2024, two off-duty law enforcement officers—Daniel Lajack, then a DEA task force officer, and Donald Kopchak, a Cleveland police officer on an ATF task force—confronted a man at Buzzard's Roost, a bar in Hinckley Township. The man, a legal U.S. resident and commercial truck driver from East Africa, was reportedly minding his own business when the officers accused him of being in the country illegally. Witnesses say the officers took his wallet and phone, dragged him outside, and pinned him to the ground until police arrived.

Bodycam footage captured officers on scene questioning the justification of Lajack and Kopchak’s actions, noting that they had been drinking and appeared to have no lawful basis for the detainment. One officer called the conduct "messed up" and said the victim had been thrown on the ground “for literally no good reason."

An internal investigation followed. Lajack was removed from his federal task force role, placed on leave, and then resigned from the Lake County Narcotics Agency on December 2, 2024, in lieu of termination. A disciplinary hearing was approaching in which he faced violations of abduction, assault, unlawful restraint, and more.

Despite the ongoing federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Michigan, Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski hired Lajack as a full-time deputy just three weeks later, on December 23, 2024. Sheriff Zuchowski and his office have declined to comment on the hiring, which has sparked widespread concern and public protest.

Who is impacted?

The people of Portage County—including children, families, and vulnerable residents—are impacted when law enforcement fails to uphold civil rights and community standards. The recent actions of Deputy Dan Lajack during the Hinckley incident, in which a civilian was violently detained without legal justification, have eroded public trust. This harms not only the individuals directly affected but also the integrity of our justice system and the sense of safety we all rely on.

What is at stake?

If no action is taken, it sends a clear message: that misconduct will be ignored, and that our community must accept behavior that violates civil rights and human dignity. Conversely, meaningful steps—like training and public accountability—can begin to rebuild trust and show that Portage County holds its officers to the standards the public expects and deserves. At stake is nothing less than the credibility of local law enforcement and the safety of every resident they serve.

Why is now the time to act?

The time to act is now—before harm is repeated, before more trust is lost, and while the public is paying attention. As taxpayers, voters, and community members, we have the right to demand better. 

What are we calling for? 

We call for (1) Deputy Lajack and all Sheriff’s Office personnel to undergo relevant civil rights and bias training, and (2) Sheriff Zuchowski to publicly condemn the actions taken during the Hinckley incident and affirm that such conduct will not be tolerated.

Portage County deserves leadership that listens, learns, and leads with integrity. Please join us in calling for these necessary steps forward.

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Learn more: 

Excerpt of Bodycam Footage of First Responding Officer​

9-1-1 Call from Witness

📰 WKYC (Channel 3 Cleveland)

1. "Portage County sheriff hires ex-narcotics agent accused of misconduct"
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2. "Officer accused of illegally detaining man at Medina County bar resigns"
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3. "3News Investigates: Officers accused of detaining truck driver at Medina County bar"
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📰 Cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer

1. "Portage County sheriff hires ex-task force officer under federal investigation"
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2. "FBI investigating 2 officers accused of detaining trucker at Hinckley bar, authorities say"
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3. "Detroit prosecutors to handle investigation of Cleveland-area officers who detained truck driver"
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📰 News 5 Cleveland (WEWS)

1. "Narcotics agent resigns rather than face discipline for incident caught on camera"
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2. "WATCH: Off-duty cops in bar detain trucker they think is terrorist. Now, they're under investigation"
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📰 19 News Cleveland (WOIO)

1. "Former DEA task force officer under federal investigation hired at Portage County Sheriff’s Office"
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2. "Northeast Ohio officer accused of illegally detaining man at bar hired by Portage County Sheriff"
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3. "Cleveland officer and ex-DEA agent suspected of unlawfully detaining man they called 'illegal' immigrant"
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