Former Illinois police chief accused of DUI caught hollering obscenities at cops, resisting arrest in wild bodycam footage

A former Illinois police chief accused of drunk driving and causing an accident tore into cops in a profanity-laced tirade as he resisted arrest and was forcefully taken into custody, wild bodycam footage shows.

Former Bridgeview Chief of Police Walter Klimek was captured on camera hollering and hurling obscenities at members of the Justice Police Department before he was dragged out of his vehicle by multiple cops during the drunken kerfuffle on Dec. 27, 2024, according to footage obtained by The Post. 

“Come on, let me go!” a hostile Klimek repeatedly yelled at cops in the driver’s seat of his airbag-deployed Buick while honking his horn, the footage shows.

“What the f–k is this all about?”

Police responded to the scene following a high-speed crash in which Klimek allegedly struck a guard rail, spun out and then slammed into another car, injuring a passenger who was later hospitalized, according to police, who described the inebriated suspect as hostile and uncooperative.

The footage shows officers surrounding Klimek’s car and encouraging “Wally” to get out of the vehicle before one cop climbs into the back seat and unbuckles his seatbelt — clearly agitating the alleged boozer.

“Get the f–k out of here,” Klimek screamed at the officer in his car, who calmly responded: “Alright, Wally, we’re going to have to get out, man.”

“I am the Chief of Police in Bridgeview,” the alleged drunkard slurred before shrieking, “What are you doing back here?! What are you doing back here with my f–king arm?”

At least three cops spent several minutes trying to pull Klimek out of his car as he wailed in agony, with the frustrated, out-of-breath officers telling the former top cop to “stop resisting,” the footage shows.

“Leave me alone!” Klimek shouted multiple times while honking his horn. 

“You guys are my buddies. I’m sorry,” he then muttered, according to the video.

Klimek was eventually placed on a stretcher, where he continuously apologized before being hauled away.

After he was booked, Klimek appeared confused and exhausted as cops repeatedly explained that he was involved in an accident, his car was towed and he was charged with driving under the influence, the footage shows.

“What do you mean a DUI,” a befuddled Klimek responded.

“I’m not drunk.”

Police said Klimek refused to have his blood drawn at a local hospital to determine his blood-alcohol content, according to the arrest report.

He was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest and DUI. 

The case is currently pending in Cook County Court.

About The Author

Stephen Collopy

See author's posts