SAN ANTONIO – A 23-year-old man, Matthew Sanchez, who served as a police officer for the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), has lost his job and faces legal consequences following his recent arrest.
Sanchez was taken into custody on May 14, 2026, charged with deadly conduct. This charge stems from an incident that occurred in November 2025 when he was off duty. According to an arrest affidavit, Sanchez was out partying with friends, including at least one fellow school police officer, when he began to engage in reckless behavior.
The affidavit reveals that Sanchez was asked to leave a dance club due to excessive intoxication. Afterward, the group moved to a parking lot near Northwest Military Highway and Wurzbach Parkway. While sitting in the passenger seat of his own car, Sanchez allegedly pulled a gun from his glove compartment and started waving it out the window, even pointing it at a friend at one point.
During the same incident, the friend reported to the San Antonio police that Sanchez attempted to offer him cocaine. Instead of accepting it, the friend took the substance and discarded it in the grass. Although the incident happened in November, it only came to light in May 2026 when the San Antonio Police Department investigated a separate case involving Sanchez.
According to the friend, Sanchez’s behavior had been increasingly erratic since that night, raising concerns about his conduct, especially when around children while working.
In a statement, Laura Short, a spokesperson for SAISD, confirmed that the district was aware of the off-duty incident that led to Sanchez’s arrest and mentioned that he “is no longer with the district.” However, she did not provide details on whether he was fired or resigned, or when exactly he left his position.
When asked about the fellow school police officer who was present during the incident, Short indicated that the investigation is still ongoing.
Following his arrest, Sanchez remained in jail until June 1, 2026, when he was released after posting bond.
This incident raises important questions not only about the conduct of law enforcement officers but also about their responsibilities, even when off duty. With a focus on maintaining a safe environment, it is crucial for individuals in such positions to adhere to professional standards, as their actions can significantly impact the communities they serve.
San Antonio ISD police vehicle
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