Vidor PD investigating incident involving Precinct 4 Constable Matt Ortego
VIDOR — Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll confirms to KFDM/Fox 4 News that his department is investigating an incident involving Orange County Precinct 4 Constable Matt Ortego.
The department released an incident report to KFDM, documenting the call on November 26 that sent Vidor officers to Ortego's home on South Timberlane, where Ortego, his daughter and another woman were present.
Chief Carroll says Ortego's ex-wife called Vidor Police Dispatch early in the morning on Sunday, November 26. She said their daughter, who was at the home, called her and was crying, saying Ortego threatened to shoot her and other kids in the home.
The incident report includes a summary of the phone call from Ortego's ex-wife to Vidor Police Dispatch at about 1:03 a.m.
"Caller advised that her kid just called her crying, saying that her ex-husband, Matt Ortego, pulled a gun out and threatens to shoot her child and other kids who are in the home. Caller advises that Matt is extremely intoxicated."
According to the report, police left for the home within two minutes at about 1:05 a.m. and arrived at 1:10 a.m.
Chief Carroll tells KFDM that Ortego was threatening suicide.
The report indicates at 2:11 a.m., police left the home and transported Ortego to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital. They arrived at about 2:25 a.m.
Carroll tells KFDM that Ortego was taken to CHRISTUS for a mental health crisis.
No charges have been filed but the investigation is ongoing, according to Chief Carroll.
KFDM left voice messages on the phone at Ortego's Precinct 4 office and on his cell phone, seeking comment. We haven't received a response.
Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Rodney Price tells KFDM the work of Constable Ortego's office will continue to be carried out, with deputies serving warrants and performing all of the duties of Ortego's office.
Ortego was elected in 2020 and is running for re-election. Capt. Joey Jacobs with the Orange County Sheriff's Office is challenging Ortego.