Joliet Cop On 'Empire' Gets Fired By Roechner

JOLIET, IL — Bill Busse, a veteran city of Joliet police officer who played a security guard in the first episode of the 2018 television show, "Empire," may have more time to pursue his professional acting career. On Friday afternoon, Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner sent out a notice to the entire department notifying everyone that Busse was being terminated effective immediately.

In May, Busse served a one-day work suspension after the internal affairs unit reprimanded him for battering a woman two months earlier. Then in late May, the New Lenox Police Department arrested Busse on charges of domestic battery after Busse became violent at the home of his ex-wife, court records show.

Busse was allowed to remain on the Joliet Police Department after his first domestic violence arrest.

Then, on Dec. 29-30, Busse spent 28 hours in the Will County Jail after New Lenox Police arrested him again, on additional charges of domestic battery.

That case, like the May arrest, involves allegations that Busse became violent toward his ex-wife at her house in New Lenox. Busse has remained free after posting bond on Dec. 30.

Now, almost two months later, Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner has decided enough is enough and it's time to get rid of Busse.

Busse's criminal defense lawyer, Jeff Tomczak, told Patch on Friday that he had been hopeful that the police administration would hold off imposing any discipline until after Busse's domestic violence cases go to trial at the Will County Courthouse.

Busse has already been away from the Joliet Police Department for quite some time. Tomczak said it's his understanding Busse has not been on active duty as a police officer for at least a year after suffering a work-related hand injury.

Tomczak said he's not sure what the future holds for his client, but he does believe Busse has a bright future on the television screen, if he continues to pursue his professional acting career.

Busse, who is 6-foot-7 and weighs 240 lbs, according to Will County jail logs, was featured in episode 1 of the 2018 season for the Empire cast and crew.

As millions of Americans already know, another member of the Empire crew also faces criminal charges, an actor who starred in 84 episodes between 2015 and 2019 - Jussie Smollett.

Last year, Busse also played the role of a television prison guard in the 2019 crime drama mystery "Proven Innocent." Busse also shows up in the credits for the 2012 season of "Chicago Fire."

"I know he's excited about pursuing his acting career," Tomczak told Patch on Friday. "It's unfortunate the city of Joliet Police Department did not wait until these matters were resolved in the court system."