On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at about 4:30 AM, the Lincoln City Dispatch Center received a report of a vehicle parked in the southbound lane of Hwy 101 near SW 32nd Street without any lights on. The driver, who was later identified as 43-year old Matthew R. Garrett of Waldport was reportedly standing outside his car and appeared to be agitated. Additional reports indicated he was trying to hit vehicles with an object as they tried to drive around him, and had actually struck a vehicle with the object.
When officers arrived, they contacted Garrett who became very confrontational and aggressive towards them. As officers attempted to arrest him Garrett began fighting with them and resisting arrest. Officers attempted to use Tasers on Garrett to get him into custody, but the Taser deployments were unsuccessful. Further attempts to de-escalate the situation failed and once additional officers arrived, a less-lethal round was deployed, which had limited effect on Garrett; however, multiple officers were able to wrestle Garrett to the ground and get him into custody.
After being taken into custody, Garrett was transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital by Pacific West Ambulance for treatment of minor injuries. He was later transported to the Lincoln County Jail and lodged on charges including: Criminal Mischief II, Disorderly Conduct II, Resisting Arrest, Assaulting a Public Safety Officer and Menacing. One Lincoln City Police officer went to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital for medical evaluation of his injury and was later released. A second officer’s injury was minor.
