Matthew Cox

Name:
Cox, Matthew Edward

Date of Booking:
12/09/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol-Consentration 0.08G or more w/in 3 hrs or more

Disorderly Conduct

DUI-Endangering a Child Under 14 yoa

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On December 09, 2025 I responded to Northwest Elementary School along with Deputy Hammontree. The caller stated that a male was at basketball practice at this location and was cursing and yelling at the kids and was possibly intoxicated. As we were arriving at the school the suspect was leaving in a blue Ford F150 onto McEntire Cir. Deputy Hammontree was able to get behind the truck and activate his blue lights to signal the truck to stop.

The truck then turned into the back entrance of Northwest Elementary where it slowly continued to roll forwards. I then pulled alongside Deputy Hammontree and used my PA system and told the driver to stop and Deputy Hammontree pulled around in front of the truck and stopped. I never seen the reverse lights flash indicating that the truck was in park so I advised the driver to place the truck in park, and the driver stated it was in park. I then advised him to open the door and shut the truck off and he did. Deputy Hammontree then approached and asked him to step out of the truck. Deputy Hammontree then began speaking with the male. I then went and called the caller, [WITNESS #1], and asked her what happened.

Miss [WITNESS #1] stated that this male, who we identified as Matthew Cox, was at ball practice tonight and had been cursing in front of the kids and yelling at them. She also stated that she could smell alcohol on him.

I also spoke with [WITNESS #2] who stated he was the ball coach and this was the 2nd time parents have complained to him about Mr. Cox cursing and yelling. He also stated that Mr. Cox smelled like alcohol. He stated that he then made the decision to stop practice and start sending everyone home to defuse the situation.

I then observed Deputy Hammontree conducting Standardized Field Sobriety Testing on Mr. Cox and disconnected. I then went over to stand by while SFST testing was being conducted. During these Test I observed Mr. Cox to have slurred speech and not have balance. I could also smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

Once testing was completed Deputy Hammontree had enough clues from testing to believe Mr. Cox’s blood alcohol level was over 0.08% and placed him under arrest. We stepped around to the far side of Hammontree’s patrol car to place him into hand cuffs and call his wife, due to his child already being emotionally upset. He was then read the GA implied consent notice and agreed to a blood test.

The child was turned over to his mother, [REDACTED], and Mr. Cox’s truck was locked up and left at the school for a family member to come pick up. Deputy Hammontree left the scene and I relocated to the front where I spoke with [WITNESS #1] and another Witness, [WITNESS #3], who stated that Mr. Cox appeared half asleep, was slurring words, not making since when he talked, making rude comments towards the kids, cursing and also stated she could smell alcohol on him.

I then spoke with [WITNESS #2] by phone again and he stated he was notifying the officials with the rec league and requested Mr. Cox be Criminally Trespassed from ball practice.

I also called [REDACTED] with school system and explained what had taken place tonight so the school could follow up on the child. I also Notified SFC Pritchard of the School Resource Officer and he stated he would make sure the appropriate SRO knew what was going on and would also make sure the school system followed up on the welfare of the child.

[End of Narrative]