Earlier this year, the City of San Marcos released internal disciplinary records to The Hawk’s Eye confirming that two officers—Aaron M. Klopf and Reece A. Hunter—were suspended after violating department policy and potentially constitutional law during a botched warrant operation in January 2024. The records, produced through an open records request under Texas law, detail the department’s internal findings and each officer’s own admission of serious failures during a high-risk entry into a private apartment.

Both officers were issued 40-hour unpaid suspensions later in 2024. Hunter, who was also placed under a last chance agreement, departed from the department just months later. According to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) records, Hunter’s separation occurred on March 12, 2025—within the time frame covered by The Hawk’s Eye’s request for disciplinary records. No explanation was given for his departure.

No Warrant, No Consent, and No Announcement: Officers Detain Innocent Men and Breach Apartment

On January 12, 2024, Officers Klopf and Hunter were part of a team attempting to locate a suspect wanted on felony charges including sexual assault, robbery, and assault-family violence. After unsuccessful attempts to find him downtown, the officers responded to new information suggesting the suspect was in an apartment on the 11th floor of a secure high-rise.

Without notifying a supervisor or developing a tactical plan, the officers went directly to the apartment—bringing with them the only two access fobs available, which meant other officers could not join them. When the door opened, two men were standing in the doorway. The officers did not announce themselves as law enforcement. Instead, they immediately took both men to the ground and handcuffed them. Neither individual was the suspect, and neither was alleged to have committed a crime.

The officers then forcibly entered a bedroom without consent or legal authority. Officer Hunter kicked open the door, and both he and Klopf arrested the suspect inside. There was no warrant, no exigent circumstances, no fresh pursuit, and no indication of immediate harm—each of which is required to lawfully enter a private dwelling.

The internal investigation concluded that the entry was unlawful and that the officers failed to announce their presence, as required by both department policy and long-standing constitutional precedent.

Policy Violations and Legal Exposure

The San Marcos Police Department determined that Klopf and Hunter violated Policy 7.3, which governs arrests with and without a warrant. Among the violations: failure to notify a supervisor before initiating a high-risk arrest operation; failure to plan for contingencies; unauthorized entry into a residence without consent or legal justification; and failure to identify themselves as law enforcement prior to or during the seizure.

In disciplinary memos dated July 1, 2024, Police Chief Stan Standridge wrote that both officers acted “recklessly” and “unprofessionally,” placing the safety of civilians and officers at risk. The Event Review Board recommended remedial training in constitutional search and seizure and formal disciplinary action. Chief Standridge imposed the maximum 40-hour temporary suspension permitted under civil service rules.

The violations outlined in the reports raise serious Fourth Amendment concerns. The seizure of the two men in the hallway without probable cause or even identification as police, coupled with the warrantless entry, could expose the department to litigation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. As of publication, no known lawsuit has been filed by any of the individuals affected.

Officer Reece A. Hunter Was No Longer with SMPD When Records Were Released

At the time the City of San Marcos produced the disciplinary records to The Hawk’s Eye, Officer Reece A. Hunter was no longer with the department. TCOLE records confirm that Hunter’s peace officer license remains active but show his service with the San Marcos Police Department ended on March 12, 2025.

Hunter had been licensed in Texas since July 2022 and previously served as a peace officer in Colorado from 2019 to 2021.

Officer Aaron M. Klopf Remains Active

Officer Aaron M. Klopf continues to serve with the San Marcos Police Department. He has held an active peace officer license since 2017 and previously worked at the Cleburne Police Department for five years, serving both as a peace officer and telecommunications operator. He joined SMPD in November 2022 and has accumulated over 2,100 hours of law enforcement training.

While Klopf did not face further consequences after his 40-hour suspension, his disciplinary record now includes a sustained finding of serious policy violations involving improper seizure and unlawful entry.

Officers’ Own Admissions Underscore the Severity of the Violations

During their respective Loudermill hearings—pre-disciplinary meetings required by law—both officers admitted to serious errors in judgment.

Officer Reece A. Hunter came to the hearing and wrote on a dry-erase board on which he listed the areas where he believed he failed. Among his admissions: never announcing “POLICE” before entering the apartment; creating a dangerous situation by rushing the encounter; conducting poor intelligence gathering prior to arrival; failing to communicate or plan with supervisors; and using excessive force to breach the bedroom without a warrant. He also acknowledged that the team’s failure put department leadership in an untenable position, stating that they had forced the chief “to defend us.”

Hunter also pledged that he would avoid profanity in future operations, provide calm commands rather than shouting, and consult more with intelligence and supervisory teams. Nonetheless, Chief Standridge determined the violations warranted both a suspension and a formal last chance agreement. Under that agreement, any further serious policy breach would have resulted in immediate termination without appeal.

Officer Aaron M. Klopf offered similarly candid reflections. During his hearing, he told Chief Standridge: “Nothing is forcing us to force that door… Looking back now, that was stupid.” He called the decision to forcibly breach the bedroom the “pinnacle of where we screwed up.” He also acknowledged that no one on scene ever said “San Marcos Police,” and that the situation was worsened by “a sheer amount of expletives.” Klopf admitted the team rushed in without considering the legal requirements, safety risks, or alternative approaches to a peaceful arrest.

Despite these acknowledgments, the city determined that a 40-hour unpaid suspension was the appropriate discipline. Klopf was not placed under a last chance agreement and continues to serve as a licensed officer in San Marcos.

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