Retired Urbana Police Chief Matthew D. Lingrell has been selected as the 2026 Urbana High School Distinguished Alumni, recognizing a lifetime of service to his hometown and a law enforcement career spanning more than four decades.
A lifelong Urbana resident, Lingrell grew up on East Ward Street, attended St. Mary Elementary School, and graduated from Urbana High School in 1981. During his time at UHS, he was a four-year member of the Hillclimber football team.
After earning an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences from Clark Technical College in 1984, Lingrell followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Urbana Police Division on July 8 of that year. He later graduated from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Basic Police Academy and continued his professional development throughout his career, including graduating from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command in 1996.
Lingrell steadily advanced through the ranks of the Urbana Police Division, being promoted to sergeant in 1991, lieutenant in 2008, and police chief in 2011.
Throughout his career, he received numerous commendations for his involvement in undercover narcotics investigations, the apprehension of armed suspects, and hostage recovery operations. He was named Urbana Police Division Officer of the Year in 1988.
Among his many accomplishments, Lingrell led efforts to achieve accreditation for the Urbana Police Division through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, ensuring compliance with hundreds of professional standards. He also helped establish several community-focused initiatives, including Safety Town, the Citizens Police Academy, and the Urbana City Schools School Resource Officer Program.
As chief, Lingrell championed innovative drug enforcement strategies targeting narcotics trafficking and introduced citizen surveys to gather community feedback and improve police services.
Beyond his law enforcement career, Lingrell and his wife, Krista, raised their three children in Urbana and have remained active supporters of Urbana schools and athletics.
The Urbana Alumni Association cited Lingrell’s dedication to public service, education, and community engagement in selecting him for the honor. Reflecting on his connection to his hometown, Lingrell often says, “I am a lifetime Hillclimber.”
