A former San Antonio police officer, who was fired for giving a homeless person a feces sandwich, is now employed with a South Texas police department.
Matthew Luckhurst has been working for the Benavides Police Department since April 2023, according to a Licensee Service Report.
In 2016, a report showed Luckhurst bragged to a fellow officer that he had picked up some feces, placed it in a slice of bread and put it in a Styrofoam container next to a homeless man.
Luckhurst was a five-year veteran of SAPD and had been assigned to downtown bike patrol for about a year, police officials said.
Following his firing, Luckhurst was back in the force, this time in Floresville in 2022.
Floresville Mayor Cissy Gonzalez-Dippel said the city had been flooded with emails about Luckhurst’s position on the force in 2022.
In a statement, the mayor said, “Matthew Luckhurst was released from employment with the Floresville Police Department yesterday Dec. 13th (2022). Our city manager, Andy Joslin is implementing stricter hiring policies for all city of Floresville employees. He is also working with Chief Herrera on the Reserve program.”
Luckhurst now serves as a Peace Officer for Benavides police. KSAT has reached out to the department for comment and is waiting to hear back.
Andre Hines, chief of the Benavides Police Department, sent KSAT the following statement late Tuesday night.
“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. Despite past allegations, Officer Luckhurst’s record since joining the department in April 2023 has been exemplary, with no complaints or issues reported. A thorough background check was conducted before he was sworn in as a peace officer, ensuring that all aspects of his history were carefully considered.
Chief Andre Hines
Officer Luckhurst has consistently maintained that the allegations made against him during his time with the San Antonio Police Department—specifically the incident involving a homeless man—are untrue. An arbitrator ruled in favor of reinstating his employment.
Chief Andre Hines’s decision to address Luckhurst’s past openly reflects the department’s commitment to honesty and accountability. By providing Officer Luckhurst with the opportunity to continue his career under close oversight, the Benavides Police Department demonstrates a dedication to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and fairness.
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.”