An off-duty Chicago police officer, Francisco Galvan, has been charged after allegedly attacking his girlfriend, who is also a member of the Chicago police force, during what has been described as a drunken rampage outside a South Side police station last week. According to a Chicago Sun-Times report, Galvan, 30, faces misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and driving under the influence, as well as a citation for illegally transporting alcohol.
The reported incident occurred around 12:15 a.m. Thursday when Galvan was seen walking through the parking lot of the Englewood District station before he approached his on-duty girlfriend, who was seated in a police vehicle. A situation ensued resulting in the vehicle "rocking back and forth on its tires" and the sound of a struggle was heard according to police reports. As officers came upon the scene, they saw Galvan crouched over the woman while holding her hair. Upon his detention, officers noted the smell of alcohol on him and observed that "his eyes were extremely bloodshot, watery, and glass," as stated by the Chicago Sun-Times.
During the altercation, Galvan reportedly pulled his girlfriend from the squad car by her pant leg, then grabbed her by the hair in an attempt to stand her up—an account corroborated by statements the officer made to investigators, as detailed by the Chicago Sun-Times. She suffered abrasions to her neck and face but declined medical treatment along with Galvan. Despite the girlfriend's decision not to pursue felony charges, the state's attorney proceeded with charging Galvan.
Sources indicate that Galvan was restrained by as many as seven officers following the assault and displayed signs of severe intoxication, including vomiting on himself during questioning. His vehicle contained several empty alcohol cans, and he was found in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of the attack. A judge has since ordered Galvan to turn in his service weapon, and remarked that a conviction of domestic battery could end Galvan's law enforcement career since it would preclude him from carrying a firearm, as reported by CBS News Chicago.
Galvan's next court appearance is scheduled for September 13 as the legal repercussions of the incident continue to unfold.
