Neighbors react after CPD officer arrested for domestic violence

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - On Saturday, Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) announced the arrest of an officer in the Columbia Police Department for domestic violence.

Around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, RCSD Deputies responded to apartments at 131 Roper Pond about a domestic dispute, contacting both residents when they arrived.

Deputies say after further investigation, they determined that following a verbal altercation, Efrain Galdamez, 30, attempted to choke the woman, leaving minor injuries around her neck.

Galdamez was identified as a CPD officer. According to RCSD, Galdamez was arrested and charged with domestic violence in the third degree.

He was then transported to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. According to the Columbia Police Department, Galdamez had been employed since January 2023 and was fired following the incident.

According to court records, Galdamez had a bond hearing this afternoon and was granted a $5,237 bond.

The conditions of his release include no direct contact with the victim, staying 1000 yds. away from the victim’s home, work, school, and place of worship, and allowing a 1x RCSD escort to pick up belongings.

WIS spoke with a resident who lives on the floor below the couple. The resident said he heard a noise coming from their apartment since they moved in last August.

“Over the past several months I’ve heard a lot,” the resident said, “My roommates and I would (say) it sounded like a bowling ball going across the floor upstairs with the banging of furniture like several times a week.”

Many residents who live at Arcadia’s Edge say the complex is quiet and peaceful. The resident I spoke with says he never suspected that any domestic violence occurred, but wasn’t surprised to hear that could’ve been the cause of the noise.

“We never heard any yelling, which is why we never called anyone about it,” the resident said, “But, the crashing and the thumping of furniture and walls (has been) consistent since we’ve moved in.”

WIS spoke with a family member of the Galdamez’s ex-girlfriend, who says she is currently doing ok.

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