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MILWAUKEE (WISN) — New body camera video obtained by 12 News shows the moment Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo last week.
Romo was arrested Thursday, July 23, on suspicion of operating while intoxicated.
A search warrant obtained Tuesday by 12 News stated Romo’s vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, passing other vehicles during heavy rush hour traffic in the Marquette Interchange.
According to the search warrant, a deputy said they detected a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” in Romo’s breath. Video shows Romo told her he had zero drinks.
The body camera video shows the deputy coming up to Romo’s vehicle on Interstate 43, saying she stopped him for unsafe passing on the right and lane deviation. Romo tells the deputy he lives in Dallas, was heading from a golf event to his grandparents’ house, according to the video. The pair have difficulty hearing each other due to the noise of interstate traffic.
When the deputy asks Romo to step out of the vehicle, he says he’s going to call his lawyer, the video shows.
“Because I’m coming from the golf course you think that I’m drunk?” video shows him asking while exiting the vehicle.
Romo asked to record video of the incident on his phone, according to the search warrant and body camera video. Video shows him asking the deputy if he can set his cell phone on the tailgate of his vehicle once he is out of the car.
The deputy then took Romo to the Milwaukee County Jail sally port for a standardized field sobriety test, according to the video and search warrant.
Once in the sallyport at the jail, the deputy releases him from handcuffs and Romo agrees to do the field sobriety tests, according to the video.
“Can I do an exercise?” Romo says, appearing to stretch using the front brush guard on the deputy’s squad car.
“Any head injuries?” The deputy asks.
“Excuse me?” Romo responds with a small chuckle.
“Any head injuries recently, any concussions?” she asks.
“Well, over the years, yes, but not recently. No,” Romo responds.
The search warrant stated that during the sobriety test, Romo could not keep his balance, stopped walking, started too soon, missed the heel-to-toe, and made an improper turn.
When asked to submit a preliminary breath test, Romo declines, in the video.
“Oh no. We’re not doing that,” he says in the video. “I’ve heard from multiple lawyers don’t ever do that.”
The deputies then place Romo under arrest. Later, he denies giving a blood sample as well.
“No,” he said, according to the video. “Like I said, I want my lawyer, for the eighth time.”
Court records show Romo was cited for refusing to take a test for intoxication. A letter from his lawyer to the court states he was also cited for operating while under the influence, first offense. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation also filed a notice of intent to revoke Romo’s license, according to court documents.
In Wisconsin, a first-offense OWI is generally a traffic ticket, not a criminal charge. The citation typically carries a fine ranging from $150 to $300. The arrest report doesn’t indicate any blood alcohol or breathalyzer testing.
Romo grew up in Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School. He was the first Burlington High School student-athlete to be named all-state in three sports: football, basketball, and golf. The search warrant states he told police he was in town for a golf event and was driving to his parents’ house.
Romo is a four-time Pro Bowler and is part of CBS’ lead NFL broadcast team.
Romo’s lawyer did not respond to calls for comment Tuesday.
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