Police Involved In Scottie Scheffler Arrest At PGA Championship To Be Investigated, Louisville Mayor Says
The police officers who were involved in arresting World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville will be investigated for whether they followed proper protocol, according to the city's mayor, Craig Greenberg.
Scheffler was arrested just outside an entrance to Valhalla early Friday morning after allegedly driving past a police officer who was directing traffic. After being put in handcuffs and put in the back of a cop car, he was ultimately booked and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer (a felony), criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
"I think that's critically important that we do that, not just in high-profile events like [those that] took place on Friday, but on a regular basis," Greenberg said, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. "And if policies are not being followed, there will be transparency about that. There will be action taken."
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said: "The internal investigation is still ongoing. Any policy violations that are revealed through the course of the investigation will be appropriately addressed according to LMPD's disciplinary protocol."
Greenberg also confirmed that there was no bodycam footage of the incident involving Scheffler.
Detective Bryan Gillis is noted in the arrest report, which states that he sustained injuries and damage to the pants he was wearing moments before the arrest.
"Detective Gillis stopped subject and attempted to give instruction," the report reads in part. "Subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knees. He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency medical personnel. Detective Gillis' uniform pants, valued at approximately $80 were damaged beyond repair."
ESPN's Bob Wischusen witnessed the incident early Friday morning and recently provided details of what he saw transpire. Wischusen couldn't confirm that Gillis latched himself onto the side of Scheffler's car.
"When [Scheffler] drove past him, the cop got very angry pursuing the car. … My impression was he was kind of running alongside chasing the car, and maybe he tripped and fell," Wischusen told the outlet. "I mean, there was kind of an outcropping or median, you know, by the front gate. And keep in mind, it was raining. It was 6 o’clock in the morning. It was dark."
Despite being arrested and charged, Scheffler was released shortly after the fact and was able to make it to his 10:08 AM ET tee time on Friday. He made birdie on his opening hole of the day before shooting five-under 66.