A former Illinois police chief, Walter “Wally” Klimek, was arrested on Dec. 27, 2024, on suspicion of DUI after a traffic stop degenerated into a confrontation with local officers, according to police reports and released bodycam footage.

The arrest happened in a Chicago suburb when patrol officers observed a car driving erratically, forcing a roadside stop that escalated unprecedentedly. Riverside officials confirmed that the driver was the ex-head of a neighboring municipal police department.

According to cop reports, responding officers noted a strong odor of alcohol and observed that the driver exhibited slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. When ordered to step out of the car to perform standardized field sobriety tests, the ex-chief refused and hurled abuses at the patrol officers.

The Illinois ex-cop said, “I was the f**king chief of police in Bridgeview. Why [are] you doing this to me? Don’t do that to my f**king arm. Leave me alone. You know what? Get him the f**k out of here.”


The patrol officers were seen being patient and nice, saying, “Let’s go. Wally, stop resisting. Let’s go. Stop resisting, Wally. Come on, Wally. Let’s go. If you want to keep any part of your career left, get out of the car. Nice. Now, if you want to have a job tomorrow, get out of the car. Nice. You have to hop out of the car, man. Come on. Let’s go. Wally, come on, buddy.”

He even lied, saying:

“I’m not drunk. I came from work by you guys.”

— Walter Klimek, Wgntv

As the confrontation intensified, physical force became necessary to extract the ex cop as they needed to see what injuries he had. An officer said:

“I can’t tell if he’s drunk, he’s got a head injury, what the deal is.”

— Justice Police Department officer, Wgntv

Bodycam footage shows the suspect actively pulling away, stiffening his arms, and screaming while being placed in handcuffs.

The suspect now faces charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and obstructing a peace officer. Officers on the scene reported that the driver exhibited clear signs of impairment and refused to comply with standardized field sobriety tests.

Records show the veteran official had spent more than two decades in public service before retiring from his leadership post in 2023.

Disclaimer: Inquisitr individually could not independently confirm the facts of the arrest and is reporting strictly based on the official documentation, police bodycam footage, and media information currently available.