A welfare check on a Stone County man has led to an arrest for second degree battery and disorderly conduct charges.
61-year-old Edward Joseph Walker was reportedly slumped over in his vehicle in an H&R Block parking lot with the passenger door open. When law enforcement made contact with him, items from his floorboard and seat had fallen out and onto the asphalt. His truck was still running with the keys in the ignition.
Authorities stated Walker was clearly irritated, confused and confrontational and did not want to comply when for his identification. There was speculation he was under the influence of a foreign substance that would inhibit his ability to drive. Officers asked Walker if he had been drinking or had taken any medication and evaded the question, stating he had been driving since Thursday.
Officers tried to conduct a field sobriety test in which Walker refused and proceeded to yell. He rolled up the window and locked the driver’s door. Law enforcement tried to unlock the door from the back passenger door, when Walker pushed the officer, yelling for him to get out of his car.
Officers were elbowed in the chest while attempting to get Walker out of the vehicle. He was trying to exit his truck when a concerned citizen saw the altercation and stepped in to hold Walker so he would not be able to run or get back into the vehicle. Walker attempted to hit the officer again when he fell to the ground where a restraint was able to be placed on his right wrist. He then pulled in his right arm under him and began pulling his knees to his chest. Officers had to taser Walker on the ground to fully restrain him.
Medical assistance arrived on site and cleared Walker from having to go to the hospital for his injuries. Several medications were collected from his vehicle including 3 bottles of Badofen, 2 bottles of Trazadone, 3 bottles of Minocycline, 3 bottles of Tamsulosin, 2 bottles of Simvastatin, 1 empty bottle of Tadalfil, and 1 bottle of Morphine sulfate.
Walker is charged with two counts of second degree battery, refusal to submit to arrest, and disorderly conduct. His criminal history shows battery on law enforcement officers in South Carolina in at least four instances dating back to 2018. He is being held in the Stone County Detention Center on $25,000 bond.
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