Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office issues statement on officer in Stewart confrontation

Stewart confronts drunken 'bubba' police officer Kyle Hess

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office issued a brief statement Friday regarding the dustup between one of its off-duty corporals and racing legend Tony Stewart at the Chili Bowl in Tulsa a week ago. Cpl. Kyle Hess and Stewart got into a confrontation in the Expo Square grandstands during car racing the night of Jan. 15.

Cellphone video depicts the two men locking arms or hands and exchanging words, eventually ending with shoving. Sheriff's Office spokesman Justin Green said Hess remains on the job but is the subject of a personnel investigation.

Green said such an investigation can take no longer than 30 days, at which point a decision will be made on how to handle the matter concerning any possible discipline. The Sheriff's Office takes seriously the conduct of its employees no matter if they are on or off duty, according to its statement Friday.

"While we respect our employees' rights to free speech, we also expect all of our employees to follow the TCSO's Code of Ethics which each pledges to uphold as part of their employment and to set an example at all times," the statement reads.

Stewart was overseeing track maintenance on the infield at the Chili Bowl, not racing. Tulsa Deputy Police Chief and Expo Square liaison officer Dennis Larson previously said it appeared Hess "probably had too much beer from my observations after speaking with him." Hess "kept taunting Tony Stewart" as Stewart would pass by, Larson said, and Stewart eventually went into the stands to talk to him. Tulsa World