The Brownwood Police Department issued the following press release Wednesday morning:

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at approximately 1 p.m., members of the Brownwood Fire Department and Brownwood Police Department responded to a residence in the 1300 block of 17th St. regarding a report of a fire in the backyard of a residence. Someone was burning debris in violation of City Ordinance.

Officer Austin Carlisle responded and arrived just after the Fire Department left the scene. Officer Carlisle approached the backyard of the residence to complete the law enforcement portion of the investigation. He noted that two males were in the backyard tending to the fire but making no attempts to extinguish it, as requested by the Fire Department. The fire was still growing.

Officer Carlisle approached the fire and began speaking with a man later identified as 38-year-old Joshua Malcolm Rutledge of Brownwood. Rutledge spoke angrily toward Officer Carlisle and increased his aggression, stating that he was in his own backyard and did not have to identify himself or answer any questions.

Rutledge refused all attempts at a civil conversation and Officer Carlisle’s attempts to de-escalate the anger. Ultimately, Rutledge refused all civil instructions and retrieved a sledgehammer from a small wagon and raised it over his head as if to swing or throw it at Officer Carlisle.

Officer Carlisle drew his duty pistol in response and provided simple and clear instructions which ultimately led to Rutledge’s arrest.

Rutledge was charged with Failure to Identify, Interference w/ Public Duties and Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant.