Melvindale Officer Matthew Furman Sentenced in Excessive Force Cases
Published on May 29, 2026
On August 7, 2025, Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Melvindale Police officer Matthew Furman, 40, in connection with using excessive force during three separate incidents.
April 13, 2024, 19600 Block of Wood Avenue, Melvindale, MI - Found Not Guilty
At approximately 9:48 a.m., Officer Furman conducted a traffic stop of a 35-year-old Detroit woman’s vehicle in a school parking lot in the 19600 block of Wood Avenue in Melvindale for expired plates and no insurance. During the traffic stop, Officer Furman asked the woman for her identification, and she did not comply, but she continued asking him questions. It is alleged that Officer Furman then opened the driver’s side door of the woman’s vehicle and attempted to forcibly remove her from the driver’s seat. When Officer Furman failed to remove her from the car, it is alleged that he deployed his department issued taser, striking the woman in her left leg. It is further alleged that Office Furman ordered the woman and her minor children in the backseat of the car, to exit the vehicle. Medics were called to the scene to treat the woman for her injuries.
On April 23, 2026, Matthew Furman was found not guilty by a jury on the charges of the Common Law Offense - Misconduct in Office, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, Felonious Assault, which carries a maximum penalty of 4 years in prison, and Assault and Battery, a 93 Day Misdemeanor.
July 20, 2024, Area of Homestead Avenue and Wall Street, Melvindale, MI – Found Guilty of Misconduct in Office, and Assault and Battery. Not Guilty of Felonious Assault.
At approximately 11:50 a.m., Officer Furman conducted a traffic stop of a 36-year-old Melvindale man’s vehicle around Homestead Avenue and Wall Street in Melvindale for improper plates. During the traffic stop, Officer Furman asked the male for his identification, and the man said he did not have it with him. Officer Furman then asked the male to step out of his vehicle and place his hands of the roof of the vehicle. Once the male stepped out of his vehicle and placed his hands on the roof, it is alleged that Officer Furman deployed his department issued taser, striking the male in the back. Additional Melvindale police officers were dispatched to the scene to assist in the arrest of the driver. Once officers placed the male on the ground, it is further alleged that Officer Furman placed his foot on the driver’s rib area.
Medics were called to the scene to treat the male for his injuries. While being treated by members of the Dearborn Fire Department, it is further alleged that a verbal altercation between the male and Officer Furman escalated to a physical altercation, and Officer Furman grabbed the male by his shirt and by his hair and pulled him against the fire truck.
On April 23, 2026, Matthew Furman was convicted by a jury of the Common Law Offense – Misconduct in Office, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, and guilty of Assault and Battery, a 93 Day Misdemeanor. He was found not guilty of Felonious Assault. Today, Judge Mark Slavens sentenced Furman to three years' probation with the first six months to be served in the Wayne County Jail for Misconduct in Office and two years' probation with the first 60 days to be served in the Wayne County Jail for Assault and Battery to run concurrent with his other cases.
July 23, 2021, Area of Outer Drive and Dartmouth Street, Dearborn, MI – No Contest Plea to Assault and Battery Entered
At approximately 3:30 p.m., Van Buren Township police officers assisted by Wayne County Airport police officers, Dearborn police officers, and Michigan State Police Troopers were in pursuit of a 35-year-old male, of Taylor, who fled from a traffic stop. At approximately 3:54 p.m., Officer Furman was in the area of Outer Drive and Palmer Street when he joined the pursuit of the driver. Officers pursued the male to the area of Outer Drive and Dartmouth Street in Dearborn where Van Buren Township police officers were able to disable the driver’s vehicle. The driver attempted to flee the scene on foot but was tackled by officers. While he was being held by officers, it is alleged that Officer Furman kicked the male multiple times in his leg and ankle when he was being secured in handcuffs. Matthew Furman was charged with Common Law Offense-Misconduct in Office, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections, and Assault and Battery, a 93 Day Misdemeanor.
On April 23, 2026, Furman entered a no contest plea to Assault and Battery, a 93 Day Misdemeanor. Today, Judge Mark Slavens sentenced Furman to one year of probation for Assault and Battery to run concurrent with his other cases. The Misconduct in Office charge was dismissed.
All of the cases were prosecuted by Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Mathew Makepeace.
"A bad officer is off of the streets and will never be in law enforcement again. Citizens will be safer,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
#####