Collinsville Police have confirmed that an off-duty Caseyville police officer was arrested Saturday on charges of domestic battery and aggravated assault.

The Caseyville Police station / Photo by Roger Starkey

Collinsville Police arrested Jeffrey Wilkinson, 40, of Collinsville, at 5 a.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of Hickory Point, Collinsville. Records show that Wilkinson’s wife is a resident of the home at which he was arrested. According to Madison County court records, Wilkinson filed for divorce in Dec. 2013. Records show this is the second time the couple has filed for divorce in Madison County.

Wilkinson is free after posting bond, Collinsville Assistant Police Tom Coppotelli said. Police Chief Jose Alvarez nor Mayor Len Black could be reached for comment.

While on duty, Wilkinson was injured in a June 2012 car chase that ended in an accident in St. Louis. He has not returned to work since the accident.

On June 21, 2013 two occupants of a car involved in the accident filed a lawsuit against the Village of Caseyville and Wilkinson, claiming Wilkinson caused the crash by driving negligently. Three days later, Wilkinson filed a lawsuit against the Village of Caseyville claiming it failed to protect him from retribution after he signed a letter in, April, 2012, outlining complaints against then police chief J.D. Roth, who committed suicide on June 13, 2013.

The arrest is part of an eventful month for the Caseyville Police Department. Black fired Alvarez on Feb. 12, effective immediately. One week later, at the Village Board meeting that included a heated exchange between the mayor and Alvarez, the Board unanimously reinstated Alvarez.