Sources: OPD officer reassigned over social media rant

ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando police officer who ranted on Facebook following two Kissimmee police officers who were gunned down has been reassigned while he’s under investigation, sources told Channel 9’s Shannon Butler on Friday.

Robert Schellhorn, who went by RD Schell before his Facebook page disappeared, called people “savages” and referred to athletes as “overpaid thugs.”

TJ Legacy Cole, founder of Orange County Black Voice, sounded the alarm on Schellborn’s post last month and called for his resignation. Cole called the officer’s post “racist.”

Schellhorn was put under internal investigation by Orlando police Chief John Mina, but he did not have a change in his duty, which was patrolling the streets.

Police would not confirm that they have taken another step, but sources told Eyewitness News that Schellhorn has been relieved of his patrol position and moved to another area.

In the meantime, Mina sent an email to his department that said, "We must demonstrate a key tenet of our organization - to treat all people with dignity and respect. I often talk to you during my message in training about social media and its impact, but let me be frank: Words have power and your words on social media cannot be separated from your identity as an Orlando police officer."

Schellhorn has been with the department for more than 10 years.

Cox Media Group