A Texas police officer was fired in 2016 for the disturbing act of giving a feces sandwich to a homeless man. Despite this, in 2023, he was hired by another police department, a move they have defended. The officer, Matthew Luckhurst, had initially been suspended by the San Antonio police in 2016 for the incident, which involved placing feces on bread and giving it to a homeless individual.
After Luckhurst’s indefinite suspension was overturned in 2019, an independent arbitrator later upheld this decision. The arbitrator cited a separate incident from June 2016, in which Luckhurst had defecated in a female-only restroom at the San Antonio Police Department and smeared a brown substance resembling tapioca on a toilet seat.
READ: Fired Cop Who Allegedly Gave Homeless Man a Feces Sandwich Won’t Get His Job Back, Officials Say
Benavides police made the controversial decision to hire Luckhurst in April 2023. The Police Chief, Andre Hines, has spoken in support of Luckhurst, stating that he has shown exemplary behavior with no further disciplinary issues. Luckhurst, however, continues to maintain his innocence regarding the sandwich incident, as reiterated by the police chief.
Luckhurst previously said he gave the tainted sandwich to the homeless man to throw away, not eat.
While Hines noted that an arbitrator sided with Luckhurst, he seemingly overlooked that the second arbitrator reinstated Luckhurst’s firing. The first arbitrator ruled in March 2019 that the department failed to discipline Luckhurst within 180 days of the incident.
Local artist Joshua “Lakey” Hinson called attention to Luckhurst’s latest job on December 24, 2024. Amid backlash, Hines continued to defend Luckhurst’s hiring in a statement issued to KSAT.
“The Benavides Police Department’s hiring of Officer Mathew Luckhurst highlights the department’s commitment to offering individuals a second chance to demonstrate their dedication to public service,” he said. “Looking ahead, Officer Luckhurst is deeply grateful for the opportunity to rebuild trust and serve the community with integrity. His actions moving forward will not only reflect his personal growth and professional dedication but will also positively impact the community he now serves.”
[Feature Photo: San Antonio police]
