Maurer arrested for domestic battery

Chillicothe Police Chief Steve Maurer, 53, spent Wednesday night in the Peoria County Jail after being arrested on charges of domestic battery and criminal trespass to a residence.

Maurer allegedly pushed open a door at the home of his estranged wife, leaving her with a minor abrasion to her wrist. He was arrested later Wednesday evening at Blarney Castle, 16006 N. Second St., in Rome.

“I was very much in love with that woman, and the only thing I can say is I went there that night to try and save my marriage,” said Maurer Friday afternoon at the Chillicothe Police Department. He declined to comment about any of the specifics of the incident.

“If I let people down in the community, I apologize. I appreciate all the support in the community,” Maurer said, adding he especially appreciated the support of the mayor, council and police department employees.

“Sometimes love is blind and you do things that you shouldn’t do,” said Maurer.

The incident began when Maurer went to his wife’s home in Peoria County to talk. She came outside, according to the report, and they began arguing over their dog.

She told him to leave, according to the police report, and went back into the house. As she shut the glass sliding door, Maurer allegedly caught it and opened it forcefully. She was struck then by the door causing a minor abrasion, according to the report.

She continued telling him to leave four or five times, according to a witness, and he did so after getting upset when she said she was calling 911.

She told authorities Maurer was becoming physically violent toward her and has a problem with alcohol, according to the report.

In early July when they were living together, she said Maurer allegedly grabbed her by the ankles and pulled her out of bed.
She also said she had thought about getting an order of protection against Maurer, but she did not want him to lose his job, according to the report.

Sheriff’s deputies located Maurer at Blarney Castle and questioned him outside about the incident.

He denied injuring her wrist with the door, according to the report, and also said he “did not touch her.”

A deputy asked Maurer why he thought she called the police, and he said, “‘cause I wouldn’t leave.” The report noted Maurer’s speech was “slightly slurred,” and his eyes were bloodshot.

He told the deputies that he loved her and wanted to work things out.

He was handcuffed and taken to the jail for booking.

Mayor Troy Childers Sr. said he was not aware of the incident until a little after 8 a.m. Thursday when an alderman called him.

“It was a surprise to me,” said Childers.

The mayor said Maurer was on vacation at the time of the incident and now will be on paid administrative leave until the city concludes its investigation of what happened.

“Until we can talk to him, I put him on paid leave. I think it would be normal of any city to do that,” said Childers Thursday afternoon. “We just don’t know what’s going on yet.”

He also made Sgt. Rich Mark the acting chief of the Chillicothe Police Department. Childers said he estimates Mark could be the acting chief for up to a month.

If any disciplinary action from the city is necessary later, Childers said he ultimately has the authority for the decision, but would receive assistance from the employee relations committee and the full council.

A closed-session meeting is planned for the employee relations and police and fire committees at 10:15 a.m. Saturday. Childers said he will inform the aldermen about the situation.

With the arrest making its way through Chillicothe, when asked what Chillicotheans should know now, Childers said: “This is not someone who is a habitual criminal. He has served the city since ’79 and has been actively involved in the high school.

“From time to time, when you sometimes have personal problems, you need help. And, you need time to work through it.”
Childers also said Maurer has not been proven guilty of anything yet. Maurer was released Thursday evening after posting $100 bail.

The mayor, who also served the city years ago as a longtime alderman, said he was not aware of any other Chillicothe chiefs being arrested.

“I’m in uncharted waters, but I think we need to work with our people,” said Childers.

He said he and the council will use other circumstances like this in other communities as a guideline for what kind of disciplinary action could be taken.

“We’ll try to make a sound judgement when we do what we have to do,” said Childers.

Maurer expressed the same sentiment.

“I would enjoy being the police chief for years to come,” said Maurer. “Whatever I have to do, I’ll do.”