From Cop to not

Former New Lexington Police Officer Pleads Guilty to OVI, Handgun Violation; Loses Job Amid Troubled History

New Lexington, OH — Former New Lexington Police Officer Matthew Anthony Brettrager is no longer with the department following a series of legal troubles that culminated in multiple misdemeanor convictions this month. Once considered a rising figure in local law enforcement, Brettrager’s career now appears all but over.

On April 7, 2025, Brettrager pleaded guilty in Muskingum County Municipal Court to a first-degree misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) and another first-degree misdemeanor related to improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. The arrest stemmed from a traffic stop in Muskingum County, during which Brettrager was allegedly driving under the influence while in possession of a loaded weapon. Additional charges may still be pending.

The New Lexington Police Department placed Brettrager on administrative leave beginning February 28, 2025, pending investigation. He was later moved to restricted duty on March 6 and again to administrative leave on April 8, following his court appearance. As of April 21, 2025, the department confirmed he was no longer employed.

Brettrager’s departure marks the end of a law enforcement career marred by a long and troubling record. Since 2002, he has accumulated over 75 traffic and criminal violations, including charges of driving without insurance, aggravated menacing, assault, trespassing, and repeated seatbelt and speeding offenses. In one 2004 case, he was sentenced to 80 hours of community service, ordered to forfeit a weapon, and required to remain crime-free during probation.

Despite this extensive history, Brettrager found his way into policing. He served as an officer with the Genesis Police Department from June 2021 to February 2023 and worked part-time for New Lexington beginning in November 2021. He was promoted to full-time on February 6, 2023, a move backed by then-Mayor Trent Thompson.

During his tenure, Brettrager completed various certifications, including an NHTSA DWI detection and sobriety testing course in 2021. He also made the Dean’s List at Zane State College in the fall of 2020, where he studied criminal justice.

In an evaluation conducted by the New Lexington Police Department, Brettrager received mixed reviews. He was noted to exceed expectations in areas like reporting for duty, orientation and response, and self-initiated activity. However, he needed improvement in computer and radio communication, public interaction, and report writing. His D.A.R.E. instructor profile also raised eyebrows, as he did not identify key traits such as confidence, conviction, or being a good role model — essential characteristics for youth-oriented programs.

At the time of Brettrager’s hiring, the department was led by Chief T.J. Ross, who now serves as the police chief in Somerset.

With a criminal record now including OVI and firearm-related convictions, Brettrager’s prospects of returning to law enforcement are slim. For many familiar with his background, the recent charges may come as less of a surprise than a long overdue consequence.