Louisville cop who arrested Scottie Scheffler speaks out after charges dropped

Det. Bryan Gillis is ready to put the incident involving golf star Scottie Scheffler behind him, but not before taking umbrage at comments made by Scheffler's attorney, Steve Romines, after charges in the case were dropped.

Gillis, who arrested Scheffler outside Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville before the second day of the PGA Championship earlier this month, claimed in a statement released Wednesday that he was in fact given “drugs near the car” and that he had “suffered visible injuries”. knees and wrists, but also expressed gratitude to Scheffler for his “dignity, humility and respect” during the situation.

“Mr. Scheffler and I both agree that there will be no ill will in the future,” Gillis wrote. “Instead of sparking a negative public reaction, he chose to speak with dignity, humility and respect. My family and I appreciate this.

Nonetheless, the officer took aim at comments from Romines that Gillis said called into question his integrity.

Romines had suggested at a news conference following the dismissal of the charges against Scheffler that he believed the world's best golfer might take legal action after being “falsely arrested.”

“It was unfortunate and disturbing to hear Steve Romines' comment today that a 'false arrest' had been made and that it calls into question my honesty and integrity,” Gillis wrote in his statement. . “I would be surprised and disappointed if Mr. Scheffler had actually participated in these statements.

“To be clear, I was drugged near the car, fell to the ground and received visible injuries to my knees and wrist. I'll get over it, and everything will be fine.

Gillis also addressed the high cost of pants that the Louisville Metro Police Department requires its officers to purchase.

“PS…” Gillis continued. “Yes, the ministry makes us buy pants for $80. For those concerned, they were effectively ruined. But Scottie, it's okay. I never imagined that I would have the most famous pants in the country for a few weeks because of this. Take care and be safe.”

Scheffler was facing four charges related to the incident, the most serious being second-degree criminal assault of a police officer.

The charges were officially dropped Wednesday by Jefferson County Prosecutor Mike O'Connell.

Scheffler was arrested outside the second day of the PGA Championship after there was traffic confusion as police investigated the scene where a vendor working at the PGA Championship was struck and killed by a shuttle bus.

In a personal statement, Scheffler reiterated that there would be no ill will toward Gillis.

“I want to put this incident behind me and move on, and I hope he does the same. Police officers have a difficult job and I hold them in high regard. This was a serious communication problem in a chaotic situation,” Scheffler wrote.