LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Three Louisville Metro Police officers initially failed to turn on their body cameras when pro golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested May 17 for allegedly refusing to stop while entering Valhalla Golf Club and dragging an officer — charges that have since been dismissed.
Detectives Bryan Gillis and Kelvin Watkins and Officer Javar Downs were found to have not turned on their body cams, in violation of police policy, according to 63-pages of documents, pictures and an investigative file released Friday.
The officers had to fill out "Failure to Activate" forms. Gillis received counseling.
Several hours of body camera footage was also released by police on Friday.
Asked by another officer if he had his body camera recording at the time of the incident, Gillis said "No, I wasn't at the time. I wasn't expecting to be run over."
While Gillis said he was dragged by Scheffler and the golfer continued driving for 50 feet, no other officers or witnesses corroborated that account. Five officers told investigators their view was blocked by a shuttle bus.
"As I approached several people standing near gate 1, I asked if anyone witnessed or observed what happened," an investigator wrote. "I heard several voices reply, no as they turned and walked away. No LMPD member witnessed the initial incident, due to a shuttle bus blocking their view."
The incident summary, however, says Scheffler "shares responsibility in this event" and notes that there are no "recorded instructions" of anyone telling him to drive around traffic into the golf course grounds.
"A reasonable person cannot simply just ignore instructions from personnel managing/maintaining social order during a large scale event no matter their perception of the workers (security guards, sworn officers, civilians)," it says.
Gillis approached Scheffler on the scene asking where his wallet was so that he could take down Scheffler's information, according to body camera video Gillis turned on after the incident:
Scheffler: "Are you the one that I dragged? I'm sorry. Sir, I did not know you were a police officer. I'm terribly sorry."
Gillis: "I mean, you hurt my wrist, my ankle, my knee and ripped my pants. ... I'm directing traffic. It says police on me."
Detective Bryan Gillis was taken to the hospital with apparent pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report. (Photo courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Department)
Detective Bryan Gillis was taken to the hospital with apparent pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report.(Photo courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Department)
Detective Bryan Gillis was taken to the hospital with apparent pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report.(Photo courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Department)
LMPD Detective Bryan Gillis' injuries from the Scottie Scheffler Arrest
Detective Bryan Gillis was taken to the hospital with apparent pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report. (Photo courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Department)
Detective Bryan Gillis was taken to the hospital with apparent pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report.(Photo courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Department)
Detective Bryan Gillis was taken to the hospital with apparent pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report.(Photo courtesy of the Louisville Metro Police Department)
Asked about that statement, Scheffler's attorney Steve Romines said:
"Everything that will come out will show that Scottie did absolutely nothing wrong. In that moment he wasn’t sure what had happened and had been told the false story from the citation which is contradicted by multiple eye witnesses and video. He was always trying to pacify the situation. This matter is over and he is moving on."
In a phone call he made from jail seen on Det. Bryan Willis' body camera video, Scheffler tells someone he "got scared" and didn't want to get out of the car when Gillis reached inside and grabbed him because he didn't know who he was.
"I sat there and tried to diffuse the situation and then I was literally reaching out trying to find a police officer, not knowing he was one," Scheffler said. "It's my fault. I mean, he's wearing a uniform. He's wearing a yellow vest. I just didn't see it."
There is no body worn camera footage of theincident before Gillis was allegedly assaulted.
In addition to being disciplined for failing to turn on his body cam, Gillis was also verbally counseled for reaching into a vehicle while it was running.
"Tactically speaking, he acted poorly by adding layers of risk to what amounted to a misunderstanding over a traffic violation (per KRS an arrestable (sic) B Misdemeanor) and thus little reward," according to the investigation.
The investigation also criticized Scheffler's actions, arguing that "every other driver did as directed throughout this abnormal operations outside Valhalla."
While being taken to jail, Scheffler asked the officer driving, about whether he would make his tee time.
"What are the odds you think I'm gonna be able to play golf today, about 1%?"
"Man, ... who's your lawyer?" Willis responded.
"Uhh his name's Danny?" Scheffler said.
"Yeah I'd call Danny as soon as you get in there ... but if I had to guess, I would say no," Willis replied.
Scheffler was quickly released from jail and made his tee time.
A Louisville judge dismissed charges against Scheffler last week at the request of both his defense attorney, Steve Romines, and Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell. Initially charged with felony assault of Gillis, the charge was later amended to a misdemeanor.
O'Connell told Jefferson District Court Judge Anne Delahanty that Scheffler's assertion that the incident was a "big misunderstanding" was "corroborated by the evidence."
"Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler," O'Connell said in court May 29.
Scheffler, the No. 1 golfer in the world and winner of the Masters earlier this year, was initially charged with felony assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic.
"As I stated previously, this was an unfortunate misunderstanding," Scheffler said in a written statement on Instagram. "... Police officers have a difficult job and I hold them in high regard. This was a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation."
Romines, Scheffler's attorney, told reporters outside the Hall of Justice after the hearing last week that Scheffler was "falsely arrested" amid a tense situation. He said there are several eyewitnesses to Scheffler's encounter with police who denied that the arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was dragged by the golfers car.
"Its obvious he didn't do anything wrong," Romines said. "The video evidence shows he didn't do it."
Scheffler was handcuffed early May 17 outside the PGA Championship after allegedly refusing to stop near the scene of a fatal crash at the course entrance. Shortly before he arrived at Valhalla for his tee time, John Mills of Crestwood was crossing Shelbyville Road around 5 a.m. to work at Valhalla as a security guard when a shuttle bus hit and killed him, authorities said. He was 69.
While police were still on Shelbyville Road investigating that crash, they claim in Scheffler's arrest report that he was driving "eastbound to gain access to the course" at Valhalla Gate 1 when he pulled into a westbound lane "where outbound traffic was flowing and to avoid backed up traffic." Romines said one police officer directed him to go around and into the facility, but the arresting officer was unaware and stopped the golfer.
Louisville Metro Police accused Scheffler of refusing to comply with orders from Gillis, accelerating forward and dragging Gillis to the ground. The officer was taken to the hospital with apparent pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report.
Scheffler was booked into jail downtown around 7:30 a.m.
In a statement, Gillis said "a tragic incident occurred," and that the family of Mills "remains in my family's thoughts and prayers."
"This was a chaotic situation for everyone involved. Ensuring the safety of everyone in the vicinity was my utmost priority. Mr. Scheffler and I both agree that there will be no ill will over this going forward. Instead of giving a negative public reaction, he chose to speak with dignity, humility, and respect. My family and I appreciate that," Gillis statement continued. "It was unfortunate and disturbing to hear Steve Romines commentary today claiming that a false arrest was made and for him to challenge my honesty and integrity. Id be surprised and disappointed if Mr. Scheffler actually had any part in making those statements. To be clear, I was drug by the car, I went to the ground, and I received visible injuries to my knees and wrist. Im going to recover from it, and it will be OK. This is the extent of my commentary on the incident. The reality is that there are more important things in the world right now than a back-and-forth over this. A person lost his life that day, and a family lost a loved one.
"At the end of the day, I take pride in working for the people in the community to preserve their safety. I've spent two decades trying to protect this city through some challenging times. And I would like to keep doing so without the distractions caused by this series of events. I wish Scottie Scheffler and his family all the best."
In a "P.S." to the statement, Gillis addressed the uniform pants that were damaged.
"Yes, the department has us buying freaking $80 pants. To those concerned, they were indeed ruined. But Scottie, its all good. I never would've guessed Id have the most famous pair of pants in the country for a few weeks because of this. Take care and be safe," he wrote.
LMPD body camera video shows an officer questioning Scheffler at the scene in the back of a cruiser. Scheffler admitted he was "still shaking" and that Gillis "grabbed my shoulder and hit me ... it seemed a little bit over-aggressive because the entrance (to Valhalla) was open."
"I didn't know who he was," Scheffler told the officer of his initial interaction with Gillis. "He didn't say Police! Get out of the car! He just hit me with his flashlight and yelled Get out of the car!
"Believe me: If I knew he was a police officer, I would have gotten out of the car. I don't know what to tell you other than I was a little bit panicked trying to get into the golf course, and now I don't know what to do."
In the back of the cruiser, Scheffler asked the officer with him if Gillis was OK and later asked if he could speak to Gillis at the scene.
"He's got a huge scrape on his knee. He's being checked by EMS, a big bruise," the officer replied. "So I don't know. But, for you, right now, the main question is if you're going to jail. And its up to him. I don't know."
Related Stories:
- Scottie Schefflers charges dropped 12 days after arrest outside Louisvilles Valhalla Golf Club
- CRAWFORD | Schefflers charges are dismissed, but Louisville remains in the rough
- Louisville police detective disciplined for failing to turn on body camera during Scottie Schefflers arrest
- Louisville police say there isnt body cam footage from initial incident with Scottie Scheffler outside Valhalla
- Scottie Scheffler recounts chaotic morning in jail before shooting 66 at PGA Championship
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
