A Texas police officer whose body-camera footage sparked outrage after he forcefully threw a teenage bicyclist to the ground has officially been fired—but not because of the viral incident that first put him in the national spotlight.
Former Seguin Police Officer Michael Godinez was terminated on June 18 after an internal investigation concluded he violated multiple department use-of-force policies during an unrelated arrest in May 2026.
According to department records, investigators determined Godinez used unnecessary force while attempting to handcuff a suspect during an assault call, ultimately leading Police Chief Jason Brady to end his employment.
Video Credit: www.kens5.com
The firing comes months after Godinez made national headlines when body-camera footage showed him stopping a 15-year-old riding an electric bicycle for allegedly running a stop sign. During the encounter, the teenager attempted to call his father before Godinez grabbed him, sending the teen face-first onto the pavement before placing him in handcuffs.
The footage quickly spread across social media, with many viewers accusing the officer of using excessive force against a minor over what appeared to be a relatively minor traffic violation. The teen’s family later said he suffered a concussion during the incident and filed a formal complaint against the officer.
Despite widespread public criticism, Seguin Police previously concluded that Godinez did not violate department policy during the bicyclist arrest, allowing him to remain on duty.
That changed after a separate incident on May 20, 2026.
According to disciplinary records, officers responded to an assault at an apartment complex where Godinez was the first officer on scene. Internal investigators alleged body-camera footage appeared to show him striking a suspect several times in the back of the head while trying to place the man into custody.
The department determined Godinez violated three major provisions of its use-of-force policy, including failing to use the lowest reasonable level of force and employing tactics outside approved training guidelines. Following a pre-disciplinary hearing, Chief Brady upheld the findings and terminated the officer.
Officials have also indicated that criminal charges remain possible, although none had been filed against Godinez at the time the department announced his termination.
The officer’s personnel file reportedly documented additional disciplinary issues before his firing, including a suspension for insubordination and his removal from a school security assignment following another complaint.
For many online, the termination has reignited debate over the original bicyclist incident. Critics argue the viral arrest should have resulted in disciplinary action long before another use-of-force complaint surfaced, while others note the department maintained the earlier encounter complied with its policies after an internal review.
Now, with Godinez no longer employed by the Seguin Police Department, the viral bodycam footage has once again begun circulating across social media, fueling renewed discussions about police accountability and the use of force during encounters involving juveniles.
Leave a Reply