Christopher Phelps
Senior Sergeant, Texarkana Texas Police Department
Christopher Phelps is a Senior Sergeant with the Texarkana Texas Police Department. He believes one of the most essential parts of this job is being able to talk to people and truly listen to their concerns. “You have to treat everyone fairly and with respect, no matter the circumstances. That kind of consistency builds trust and shows people that you’re there to help—not to judge,” Christopher says.
His inspiration for a career in law enforcement stemmed from a young age. “When I was younger, I had grand visions of police work—high-speed car chases, dramatic arrests, and kicking down doors to catch the bad guys,” Christopher says. “After deciding to become a police officer, I knew I needed to get my foot in the door. I applied and was hired as a jailer at the Red River County Sheriff’s Department, where I worked the night shift while attending the police academy. It was during my time in the police academy that I quickly learned reality was much different. While the exciting moments do happen, much of the job involves thorough documentation and paperwork, especially after any major incident.”
After graduating from the academy, Christopher moved to the day shift, where he supervised the road work crew and occasionally served as a bailiff. Once a position for a road deputy opened, Christopher applied and was selected. He worked various shifts in that role until the Texarkana Texas Police Department hired him. “There, I worked my way up from patrolman to Field Training Officer and eventually became a detective for a short time. I was then promoted to sergeant and returned to patrol, where I remained for 13 years before transferring back to the Criminal Investigation Division. However, I soon realized that an office job wasn’t the right fit for me, and I returned to patrol, where I continue to serve,” he says.
Being a police officer certainly comes with highs and lows; as Christopher says, “I know it may sound cliché, but the most rewarding part of this job is being able to help someone who truly needs it. Whether it’s offering support during a crisis or making a meaningful difference in someone’s life, those are the moments that remind me why I chose this career. However, one of the most challenging aspects of the job is dealing with people who constantly test your patience and simply cannot be reasoned with, no matter how hard you try. It takes a lot of self-control and discipline to stay calm and professional in those situations.”
As Christopher reflects on his time on the force, he shares this significant accomplishment. “As a young detective, I was assigned a case involving a ‘pigeon drop’ scam—a con where the suspect gains the victim’s trust in order to steal their money. This particular incident took place at a McDonald’s, and fortunately for me, they had an excellent video surveillance system. After reviewing the footage, I was able to identify the suspect and obtain a clear image of him,” he says. “I submitted the photo to a nationwide database used for tracking organized crimes, and the suspect was successfully identified. Based on that information, I was able to secure a warrant, and he was ultimately arrested. It was one of those early cases that reinforced the value of attention to detail and collaboration across agencies.”
Christopher truly appreciates the support the community shows towards law enforcement. He offers this advice, saying, “I know it may be hard to believe for some, but officers are human—we make mistakes. When something happens, I ask people not to be so quick to judge, especially when all they’ve seen is a short video clip. It’s important to wait for the full context and all the facts before forming an opinion or making a decision. Snap judgments rarely tell the whole story.”
Christopher also believes the ‘Back the Blue’ movement is a very positive one as it reminds officers that not everyone is against them. “In this line of work, it’s easy to feel like you’re only encountering people who dislike or distrust law enforcement. Movements like this help reinforce that there are still many citizens who appreciate and support what we do. That kind of encouragement can go a long way in helping officers stay motivated and feel valued,” he says.
Chief of Police Kevin Schutte added, “Chris is a solid leader who always stands up for our community and officers. He’s always the first to volunteer for events like Night to Shine, demonstrating his genuine care. He makes a real difference every day, and we’re lucky to have him on our team.”