ALCOA, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – A Maryville Police Department officer has been charged with domestic assault, according to an Alcoa police report obtained by WVLT News.
The case centers on Reid Walker, who the report said got into a fight with a woman after drinking at Bluetick Tavern in Maryville Friday, Dec. 5. During the fight, the report said, Walker put his hands around the woman’s neck, which prompted her to later call 911.
The Alcoa officer who responded said the woman told him she could breathe while being assaulted, but was afraid for her life. The reporting officer also said they were told it wasn’t the first time Walker had physically assaulted the woman.
After speaking with the woman, the report said officers tracked Walker down and spoke with him.
“He claimed the altercation was verbal, admitted he sometimes gets ‘amped up,’ and acknowledged both parties had been drinking,” the report said. “Mr. Walker also told me to ‘do what I got to do.’”
Alcoa officers took Walker into custody. He was charged with domestic assault, according to the report.
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp said Walker has been put on paid leave, at least for the time being.
“On Friday evening, December 5, we were made aware that Officer Walker was arrested by the Alcoa Police Department on domestic assault charges,” Crisp said in an emailed statement. “We initiated an internal affairs investigation and placed him on administrative paid leave pending the outcome of the IA investigation and/or the results of the criminal investigation.”
