HUBER HEIGHTS OFFICER ON PAID LEAVE AFTER ARREST
Department will investigate domestic violence arrest.
An argument over finances led a Huber Heights cop to reportedly strike his wife with a dog food bowl, she told Tipp City Police before his arrest Monday.
Huber Heights Officer Matthew Blair, 43, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge Tuesday in Miami County Municipal Court. He was released on his own recognizance and a pre-trial conference is scheduled for October.
The Huber Heights Police Department is also conducting an investigation.
“He’s on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and the internal findings,” said Huber Heights Police Chief Mark Lightner.
The alleged incident occurred around 7:23 p.m. Monday at Blair’s home on South Fourth Street in Tipp City, an arrest report shows.
Police found Blair on the front porch, off-duty and unarmed, but wearing a Huber Heights police T-shirt, which he was permitted to change out of prior to being handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol car.
The alleged 49-year-old victim, a Marine Corps veteran, has been married to Blair for 14 years. She told officers Blair’s “temper is crazy” and “things ... happened before,” but she did not call 911 until Monday when he allegedly frightened dogs at the residence.
Police records indicate Blair allegedly “launched” a ceramic water bowl at the victim before throwing two other bowls on the ground. The victim sustained cuts on her bicep, finger and foot. The victim said throwing the bowls at the dogs “was her last straw.” The victim told officers she only wanted police to “tell him that he cannot throw things at the dogs.”
She expressed concern about Blair losing his career and declined to fill out a narrative. The victim also refused medical treatment, she said, “because that would be another bill.”
That evening, the victim “brought up an outstanding bill” that Blair said they did not have the money to pay, according to the arrest report.
Blair earned a base salary of $68,601 and gross pay of $83,382 in 2015, according to the Dayton Daily News I-Team Payroll Project. He did not comment when reached by phone Tuesday.