Following a Legacy, Leading with Purpose

Sgt. Kim Weaver’s 23 Years of Service to Texarkana

Written by: Michelle Horton

For Sgt. Kim Weaver, a career in law enforcement was never part of a carefully crafted plan. Even though she grew up surrounded by the profession, she initially imagined a different future. Today, more than two decades after joining the Texarkana, Texas Police Department, she cannot imagine doing anything else.

Weaver has spent 23 years serving the citizens of Texarkana, building a career marked by leadership, dedication, and a genuine commitment to helping others. Her path into policing began long before she ever wore a badge. Her father, James Prince, the retired Sheriff of Bowie County, spent his life in law enforcement. Growing up around police work gave Weaver an appreciation for the profession, although she never expected to follow the same path.

Instead, she pursued higher education, earning a degree in Criminal Justice from Texarkana College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana. At the time, her sights were set on a career in federal law enforcement or possibly becoming an attorney. Everything changed when her father mentioned that the Texarkana Police Department was hiring.

What began as a temporary stepping stone soon became a calling. After spending time on patrol and experiencing firsthand the impact officers can have on their community, Weaver discovered she genuinely enjoyed serving the city she called home. “After being on the street in training, I found that I really liked being a police officer for the city and enjoyed my job, so I decided to continue my career with the department,” she says. That decision has led to a distinguished career spanning more than two decades.

Throughout her time with the department, Weaver has served in a variety of positions, allowing her to develop professionally and personally. She began as a patrol officer and later worked as a detective in the Criminal Investigation Division. She then returned to patrol and became a Field Training Officer, helping prepare the next generation of officers for the realities of the job. Today, she serves as a Patrol Sergeant while continuing to contribute as a police instructor and firearms instructor.

Her role requires balancing leadership responsibilities with the unpredictable nature of patrol work. Much of her shift is spent monitoring calls, responding to major incidents, guiding officers when needed, and reviewing reports submitted by officers under her supervision. While the administrative side of policing has grown significantly over the years, Weaver still spends much of her day in a patrol vehicle alongside the officers she leads.

That hands-on approach reflects her leadership philosophy. “I think my leadership style is leading by example and getting to know the officers, not just on a work level but also on a personal level,” Weaver says. “I truly enjoy everyone that I work with and try to be someone that they can reach out to if needed.”

Building relationships is not limited to the officers she supervises. It is also one of her favorite parts of serving the community. “I enjoy meeting lots of people,” Weaver says. “I like getting to know people in the community and interacting with the citizens of Texarkana. Those interactions lay the foundation for effective policing. Weaver believes that trust between officers and citizens plays a critical role in maintaining a safe community.

The profession has changed dramatically since Weaver first entered law enforcement in 2002. One of the most significant transformations has been technology. When she began her career, reports were handwritten, and much of the work was completed on paper. Today, digital systems, surveillance technology, and high-quality video evidence have revolutionized investigations.

Despite advances in technology, many of the core qualities required to be an effective police officer remain unchanged. Weaver believes communication, observation, self-motivation, and courage are among the most important characteristics for success. “This job requires a lot of communication and listening skills when dealing with people,” she says. Weaver also emphasizes the importance of paying attention to details and taking initiative. “We cannot always be reactive but also have to be proactive so that we can hopefully prevent a crime from occurring,” Weaver says.

One lesson she consistently shares with younger officers is the importance of treating every call with respect and compassion. The crimes officers encounter varies widely in severity, but the impact on victims is deeply personal. “I always tell new officers that no matter how small a crime may be compared to others, it is big to the person that it happened to,” Weaver says.

Like many veteran officers, Weaver carries memories of difficult cases and challenging moments. While she cannot point to a single call that stands above the rest, she acknowledges that certain experiences remain with her, particularly those involving children. “Being in law enforcement for as long as I have, I have been involved with several serious crimes as a detective or as a patrol officer, and those calls, I always remember, especially any that involved children,” Weaver says.

Officers are frequently called to situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. Determining the appropriate course of action often requires balancing compassion, safety, and legal considerations. “I do not believe this is an issue just here but across the country,” Weaver says. While the challenges can be significant, Weaver remains encouraged by the professionalism and resilience of the officers she serves alongside. “Our officers have those qualities, and when it comes time to deal with a difficult situation, we pull together with the same goal to take care of things,” she says.

Mentoring younger officers is another responsibility she takes seriously. Having benefited from experienced officers early in her own career, she now strives to pass that knowledge along. “I remember the tips that were given to me or mistakes that I made that I might be able to prevent or help by sharing that with a younger officer,” Weaver says.

Outside of work, family remains her greatest source of balance and renewal. She enjoys spending time with loved ones and taking trips whenever possible. Her strongest influences have also come from family. Her father’s decades of service helped shape her understanding of law enforcement from an early age. Her husband, a retired Lieutenant with the Texarkana Texas Police Department, has also served as a trusted mentor throughout her career. “Both have experienced so much as officers, I can always look towards them for any advice,” Weaver says.

Looking back on 23 years of service, Weaver admits there are things she could never have anticipated when she first put on the uniform. “Not realizing how much this job will change you after years in this profession and really understanding and knowing how much an officer sees and experiences that other professions do not experience,” she reflects. She is also amazed by how quickly those years have passed.

As ALT Magazine celebrates first responders in this year’s Back the Brave issue, Weaver hopes readers will remember one simple truth about the men and women behind the badge. “Officers are people just like everyone else,” Weaver says. “We just chose a profession to serve and protect. We raise our families in and around Texarkana and want to keep this a safe place for all.”

For Sergeant Kim Weaver, that commitment has never been about recognition. It has always been about service. Twenty-three years after joining the department, she continues to lead with the same dedication that first inspired her to stay, proving that some careers become much more than a job. They become a lifelong calling.