A South Florida police lieutenant is being accused of attacking his girlfriend, by witnesses who described him as a loving man with an occasionally fierce temper.
Adam Miller, of Jupiter, declined to speak to police regarding a charge he faced of domestic battery by strangulation, a third-degree felony. A witness identified as 26-year-old Aubrey Gallagher told New Edge Times that the victim is her cousin, Margie Smith.
The allegations relate to an alleged incident on March 30, in which witnesses said Miller grabbed Smith by the neck during an argument. According to Gallagher, Miller then put Smith on a couch and continued to choke her. Miller shouted, “If I catch you talking to that veteran, I’ll kill you.” Miller stopped the alleged assault when another person in the residence threatened to use pepper spray on him. Miller then left the residence.
Gallagher says the woman had expressed fear after receiving threatening text messages from Miller earlier that day. Those alleged threats included: “So you’ve contacted that ugly veteran? I should slit your throat”; “If I catch you with that demon, I’ll shoot you right in front of him”; and, “You’re lucky I haven’t killed you for even talking to something so ugly.” Miller could not be reached for comment. His girlfriend, Margie Smith, did not comment specifically on the allegations but provided the following statement: “In addition to being a devoted man to me, Adam is an industrious lawman, and no one should judge him. It was a passionate reaction after I provoked him by texting a man that he despises. I must take responsibility for my actions. Adam has expressed his dislike for that person; therefore, I should not have contacted someone against Adam’s wishes,” Smith said.
When asked if the guy in question is an ex-boyfriend or someone she previously dated, Smith said no. “We were friends for just a brief time. Never romantic and never had anything, never even came close to having a title,” Smith said.
Smith refused to cooperate with police and immediately filed a ‘Waiver of Prosecution’ also known as a ‘Request Not To Prosecute’, stating she doesn’t wish to press charges. According to Florida law, prosecutors can pursue a case even if the victim does not want to.
“Adam is my best friend, he forgives me for everything, and he stands by me no matter what. So, I don’t think it’s fair to judge his character by a momentary fit of rage that I caused myself. I have a few male friends whom I speak to regularly and Adam is fine with them, but he dislikes that particular guy. Adam has done great things for everyone around him. The world is a better place because of him,” Smith said.
In 2017, Miller was praised for confronting a gunman at a grocery store and talking the gunman down until he put the gun away.
In 2020, he received an award for helping prevent a suicidal man from shooting himself.
Officials have turned over police reports and witness statements to the state attorney’s office, where a prosecutor will decide whether to file charges against Miller.
