Officer claims he was denied service at Olive Garden

A hostess caught sight of Officer Michael Holsworth’s holstered handgun as he waited for his family and asked the decorated officer to leave the restaurant at once, he ranted in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon.

Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forté said via Twitter that he had spoken with one of the managers and that she was very concerned and said police officers are welcome there.

Holsworth says he initially thought the employee was joking. In this case, it’s unlikely that the Olive Garden server in question meant to disrespect the officer.

Olive Garden spokesman Rich Jeffers told The Kansas City Star (http://bit.ly/1Zuq58Y ) that Olive Garden president Dave George called to apologize to Holsworth later Sunday.

An on-duty police officer was meeting his family for his birthday lunch at a Missouri Olive Garden when he says he was asked to leave because of his gun. The officer tells KMBC that he has never been asked to leave a restaurant before and says he wrote about the situation on Facebook because he did not “want other officers to be subjected to the same embarrassing situation”.

Holsworth was waiting for his family to arrive for a birthday lunch. Eater has reached out to the Olive Garden location and to the chain’s corporate offices for comment.

“Facts are being gathered”, Forte wrote.

Earlier, a representative of the company told KCTV5 News that they are looking into what happened and that all members of law enforcement are welcomed at any of their locations.

Holsworth earned his departments Distinguished Service Medal in 2014 for being one of three police officers who shot and killed a burglar linked to a triple homicide, according to city records. We deliver meals to them on Labor Day every year.

“Law enforcement are always welcome to dine (with) us – we heart serving them and have great relationships”, a Olive Garden spokesperson said.

“It’s unacceptable, that’s what it is”, Jeffers said.

Kansas City Missouri FOP Lodge 99 president Brad Lemon also responded to the situation.

No time table was given.