Missouri police chief accused of striking wife in head with hammer

HOLDEN, Mo. (TCD) --

A police chief in western Missouri was arrested after allegedly striking his wife with a hammer and knocking her unconscious last week.

Holden Police Chief Trenton Neal, 29, allegedly attacked his wife on the night of Tuesday, March 30, WDAF-TV reports.

Neal’s wife told investigators that he struck her on the left side of her head with a framing hammer, WDAF reports. She was reportedly knocked temporarily unconscious.

When she came to, she was alone. She said she called her friend, who called authorities, according to court documents.

The woman had “obvious swelling on her cheek and a 2-inch bruise just below her temple,” according to WDAF.

She told investigators Neal allegedly grabbed her by the neck and shoved her head into a wall, and grabbed the hammer as she tried to hide in the garage, WDAF reports.

A detective asked Neal how his wife got the bruises, who said he had “no idea.”

KMBC-TV reports the dispute arose over a set of keys.

Neal told investigators he and his wife went to a bar for her birthday, then picked up their child on the way home, KMBC-TV reports. Neal said he put their child to bed and fell asleep.

In court documents, Neal’s wife said he “has a history of abusing her,” and has “assaulted her multiple times each month over the past two years,” WDAF reports.

The woman said she is afraid of losing her child and worried Neal “will harm her or kill her if she seeks help,” according to court documents.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the case.

Neal was booked in the Johnson County Jail for third-degree domestic assault. He was reportedly placed on administrative leave during the investigation. He was expected in court on April 7.

Neal has been the Holden police chief since 2019.

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