Steve Gallon IV Sentenced to Prison for Officer Shooting
The 36-year-old received 60 months in prison for the 2023 shooting of an undercover Miami-Dade police sergeant.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Steve Gallon IV, the son of an incoming county commissioner, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder. The case stems from a 2023 incident where an undercover officer was shot while conducting an investigation.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a high-profile case involving the shooting of a law enforcement officer during an active drug investigation in Miami-Dade. The outcome arrives just months before the defendant's father, Steve Gallon III, is set to join the Board of County Commissioners.
The defendant received a 60-month prison sentence, a fraction of the 30-year maximum term allowed for attempted first-degree murder. He has remained incarcerated since his 2023 arrest.
The players
Steve Gallon IV
The 36-year-old defendant who pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder.
Darrian Washington
The Miami-Dade police sergeant who was wounded in the back of the head during a 2023 investigation.
Steve Gallon III
The incoming Miami-Dade commissioner and father of the defendant.
The details
The sentence was finalized after Gallon IV entered a guilty plea and left the term of incarceration to the judge's discretion. The charges stemmed from a March 8, 2023, incident where Sgt. Darrian Washington, while working an undercover drug investigation, was struck in the back of the head by a grazing bullet. Gallon IV, 36, will continue serving his time following his 2023 arrest.
Timeline
March 8, 2023: The shooting incident occurred during an undercover operation.
September 29, 2026: Steve Gallon IV pleaded guilty and was sentenced by the court.
January 2027: Steve Gallon III is scheduled to take office.
Beyond the 305
This sentence reflects a specific judicial outcome in the context of the state's sentencing guidelines for crimes against police officers. It highlights how cases involving high-profile families navigate the court system compared to the 30-year maximum potential penalty for this charge.
The resolution of this case closes a major criminal matter in the county that has been active since early 2023. Residents should watch for the upcoming inauguration of the new commissioner in January 2027 as the county board transitions.
The takeaway
The sentencing brings a legal conclusion to the 2023 shooting of an undercover officer in Miami-Dade. Observers can monitor the County Commission's proceedings as the board prepares for a new member to take office in early 2027.
Further reading
For more context on local judicial proceedings and public safety issues, see Law Enforcement.
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