Jacksonville police officer arrested after gun incident at Bestbet Orange Park

A Jacksonville police officer seen pulling his weapon on a man outside the Bestbet Orange Park during a December poker outing is on leave without pay following his arrest last week, according to authorities.

Officer Tommy Lee Bailey, who turns 63 Thursday, was charged April 26 with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 12:25 a.m. incident on Dec. 29, according to the Orange Park Police Department.

Bailey was off-duty playing poker at the same table as 62-year-old Robert J. Luckett of Jacksonville, according to the original incident report. Luckett said Bailey and others at the table “were making him the butt of all their jokes” and he told them to stop. When Luckett left, he said Bailey followed him into the parking lot and heard someone behind him say “Do you have a … problem with me?”

When he turned around, Luckett said Bailey drew a pistol from his sock or ankle holster, then pointed it at him, the report said. Luckett went back inside and reported the incident to security.

An employee was interviewed by police and said she saw Bailey behind Luckett as he left the building, the report said. She heard Bailey ask “You have a problem with me?” and also saw him pull out the handgun, cock it and point it at Luckett.

Bailey told police that Luckett and others in the game were making critical comments about him. The dealer at the table told police Bailey was “in a bad mood.” When Luckett made a comment about Bailey, the officer called him a “fat —,” the dealer said in the report. Bailey said Luckett also challenged him to a fight, suggesting they go “out into the parking lot.” Another employee said Luckett never challenged anyone to a fight.

Bailey said he decided to leave after repeated requests for the comments about him to stop and that Luckett walked up to him as they left the building, according to the report. Security camera video shows Luckett leaving the building before Bailey, who is then seen reaching down to his right ankle before they go out of view.

The case was submitted to the State Attorney’s Office for review, leading to last week’s arrest.

Reached Wednesday, Luckett said he had “nothing to say.” Bailey could not be reached for comment.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said cannot comment on the incident because it is not its case or investigation. The Times-Union has requested Bailey’s history summary with the Sheriff’s Office.

Dan Scanlan: (904) 359-4549