Matthew Luckhurst, a former San Antonio police officer previously accused of serving a homeless man a sandwich containing dog feces, has been appointed police chief of Benavides, a small town in South Texas with a population of approximately 1,100 residents.

Luckhurst’s controversial history dates back to 2016 when investigators alleged that he provided the offensive sandwich to a homeless individual while on patrol. Although the case attracted significant attention, Luckhurst was not terminated at that time, as he was able to avoid dismissal due to a technicality.

Subsequently, Luckhurst was fired from the San Antonio Police Department following allegations that he left a heavily soiled mess in a women’s restroom within the police facility. After this incident, he secured another policing position, but his conduct there led to public backlash, eventually culminating in his departure.

Despite his checkered past and previous controversies, the town of Benavides has chosen to appoint Luckhurst as their police chief. The decision has prompted reactions given his history, highlighting the challenges smaller municipalities often face in filling law enforcement leadership roles.