The police officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler before the second round of the PGA Championship has restated his version of events.
Louisville Police Detective Brian Gillis released a statement to Louisville television station WAVE detailing a number of details, including the circumstances surrounding an $80 pair of pants that were ruined after being dragged by Scheffler’s car as they tried to enter Valhalla Golf Course.
Prosecutors initially charged Schaeffler with second-degree assault on a police officer (a Class C felony), third-degree criminal damage to property, reckless driving and ignoring a police officer’s traffic signal while directing traffic (all misdemeanors).
Those charges were dropped this week.
However, Gillis claims he was injured by Scheffler’s car.
“To be clear, I was dragged by the vehicle to the ground and suffered visible injuries to my knee and wrist,” Gillis said in a statement. “I will recover and be OK. This is my final comment on this incident.”
An incident report from the arrest states that Gillis, wearing a Louisiana State Police uniform and a reflective rain jacket, attempted to stop and command Scheffler, but Scheffler “refused to comply and accelerated forward,” dragging the officer to the ground and damaging his uniform pants, valued at $80, “beyond repair.”
“Yes, the police made us buy a pair of pants that cost $80 and yes, they were ruined for those involved, but it’s OK Scotty. I never would have imagined that this would cost me the most famous pair of pants in the country for a few weeks. Take care and stay safe,” Gillis said in a statement.
Gillis and Scheffler both offered condolences to the family of John Mills, a volunteer who was killed when he was struck by the shuttle bus that caused the traffic stop that led to Scheffler’s arrest.
“As I’ve stated before, this was an unfortunate misunderstanding. I bear no ill will towards Officer Gillis. I would like to put this incident behind me and move on, and I ask that he do the same,” Scheffler said on Instagram. “Police officers have a difficult job and I have high regard for them. This was a serious misunderstanding in a chaotic situation.”
“I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past two weeks and once again urge everyone to remember the true tragedy of May 17th. My thoughts and prayers are with John Mills and his family and I would like to offer my personal condolences now that this has now passed. May John rest in peace.”
