Middletown Deputy Chief Andy Warrick Placed on Paid Leave Amid Internal Probe

Middletown Deputy Police Chief Andy Warrick was placed on paid administrative leave while an internal, conduct-based investigation proceeds, city and police officials confirmed Feb. 19. Police sources described the probe as internal and not criminal, and city officials declined to elaborate.

“The city of Middletown does not comment on pending personnel matters,” a city spokesman told FOX19 NOW, which reported the leave and characterization of the investigation. WCPO also reported the leave is paid and that department officials would not disclose further details about the scope or timing of the inquiry.

City and broadcast reporting indicate the administrative leave is intended to allow the internal department review to proceed. FOX19 NOW said it has requested a copy of Warrick’s personnel file and any records related to the internal investigation and administrative leave and that reporters reached out to Warrick and a police union representative for comment. WHIO News Center 7 reported it is working to learn more information.

Warrick serves as deputy police chief for the Middletown Division of Police and oversees the department’s Operations Division, which the city website lists as including communications, dispatchers, police records and the jail, according to FOX19 NOW, WCPO and WHIO. Career milestones reported by FOX19 NOW and WCPO place Warrick’s promotions at police sergeant in 2007, lieutenant in 2017 and major and deputy police chief on Jan. 1, 2018. Both outlets reported he served as acting police chief in April 2024 when Acting Chief Major Eric Crank retired.

Biographical details differ slightly between outlets: FOX19 NOW reported Warrick began working at Middletown in September 2001 and that his law enforcement career began in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1989, while WCPO reported he joined the Middletown department in September 2002, was born in Trenton and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1981. WCPO also reported Warrick enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for more than 20 years.

The current action follows a recent pattern of senior-level administrative leaves in Middletown that raised transparency questions. Journal-News reporting on an earlier leave of former Chief David Birk noted that on Dec. 20 Birk was placed on paid administrative leave “until further notice,” that City Manager Paul Lolli’s letter told Birk to remain on leave “pending further review of matters relating to your employment,” and that Lolli wrote, “Please note that this administrative leave is not a disciplinary action or adverse employment action.” Journal-News also reported that eight weeks after that earlier leave no information had been released about who was conducting the investigation or whether it involved criminal wrongdoing.

The FOX19 Facebook post about Warrick’s leave drew visible public reaction: the post excerpt showed 85 reactions, 117 comments and 25 shares. Facebook commenters included Sylvia Joyce Maynard: “No information to go on, but I've worked on committees with Andy, and found him to be a stand-up guy. Hopefully this has a good resolution,” Tony Odell: “Why do they ALWAYS get paid when put on leave ? Nobody else gets paid while being disciplined !” and Mimi Rossi: “Wtf did he do??”

At this stage, sources have not disclosed when the internal investigation began, who is conducting it, whether it will result in discipline or criminal charges, or when it will conclude. FOX19 NOW has requested Warrick’s personnel file; WHIO reports it is continuing to seek details; the city’s public line remains that it does not comment on pending personnel matters as the internal review proceeds.