Fort Worth cop fired for slamming livestreamer to the ground may get job back
A former Fort Worth police officer fired for slamming a woman to the ground during a June 2024 arrest could be getting his job back after winning an appeal.
An outside hearing examiner overturned the December dismissal of Matthew Krueger, saying there was no cause to support any disciplinary action, according to a Facebook post by the Fort Worth Police Officers Association.
The union celebrated the news, saying it aligned with conclusions by the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. Krueger maintained he did nothing wrong.
Krueger was fired after an administrative investigation of his arrest of 60-year-old Carolyn Rodriguez determined he used an unjustified amount of force. Body-cam video showed Krueger slammed Rodriguez to the ground as he was handcuffing her, resulting in injuries including a dislocated elbow, fractured orbital bone and cuts.
According to the officers’ association, experts on the department’s Use of Force Review Board supported Krueger’s use of force to gain control of Rodriguez, and the technique he used is taught in academy training. The association also said that the district attorney’s office found no criminal conduct was committed by any of the officers involved.
Rodriguez, who regularly filmed and livestreamed her interactions with police, approached officers during a hit-and-run investigation around 3 a.m. on Foch Street in the West 7th District. A suspected drunk driver crashed into another car and a structure before leaving the scene.
Krueger told Rodriguez to go to the other side of the street or face arrest, according to her livestream of the encounter. Rodriguez asked for an explanation. After Krueger repeats the instruction, he tells Rodriguez that she is under arrest and that she should turn around. The image from her camera goes dark. Audio continues in the recording, and the officer is twice heard directing her to stop resisting. Another officer says that Rodriguez is bleeding.
In December, a jury found Rodriguez guilty of interference with public duties. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $750. During her trial, prosecutors said Rodriguez had goaded the officers for video views.
“The FWPOA applauds this common-sense decision and looks forward to Officer Krueger’s expeditious reinstatement to the Fort Worth Police Department,” a union representative said in the Facebook post Monday.
It’s not clear if or when Krueger could return to work.
Representatives for the city acknowledged receiving a Star-Telegram request for comment but did not respond to a question about whether Krueger would be reinstated.
In response to a request for comment, a Police Department spokesperson said, “The Fort Worth Police Department respects the legal and administrative process for appeals and the findings of the arbitrator. The Department remains committed to accountability, transparency, and community partnerships.”
This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 6:18 PM.
.jpg)