Chris Clark, center, is recognized as the Farmersville Police Department’s 2025 Officer of the Year alongside Police Chief Marsha Phillips, left, and Rotary President Kyle Bellue. John Kanelis/The Farmersville Times

Chris Clark, a member of the Farmersville Police Department since October 2024, has been named the department’s officer of the year for 2025, according to Police Chief Marsha Phillips.

Phillips made the announcement Tuesday, April 21, during a Farmersville Rotary Club meeting.

Clark, who is married to Latisha and is the father of two daughters, ages 12 and 7, joined the department after serving seven years with the Farmersville ISD Police Department. He has a total of 10 years in law enforcement. Clark said he was “born and raised in Farmersville.”

Phillips praised Clark for making an “incredible impact in a very short period of time.” She noted he was appointed the department’s public information officer, completed PIO training and “quickly became a true asset not only to our department but to the city of Farmersville.”

She also commended Clark for representing “our department with professionalism, integrity and approachability. He is well-known throughout the community and genuinely appreciated by the city and the people he serves every single day.”

The department is budgeted for 14 officers but currently employs 11. Officer Erik DeLeon is expected to graduate from the police academy in May, Phillips said, adding that Officer Bradley Dunn, a recent academy graduate, has joined the force.

Phillips also introduced administrative assistant Shacee Jackson, evidence technician Carolina Avalos and code enforcement officer Ross Ortega.

She told Rotarians the department is displaying new logos to commemorate “250 years of freedom.” The police association has also purchased commemorative badges as a Christmas gift for officers, “which they will proudly wear throughout 2026.”

Phillips said the Walk Wednesday program will resume May 20, with officers walking through the Camden Park area to meet residents. “These walks allow our officers to get out of theirs and into the community,” Phillips said.

The department also plans to bring back Cops and Rodders, a vehicle showcase used to raise funds “to support kids in our community.” The all-day event is scheduled for Sept. 5. Phillips described it as the city’s No. 1 event, with proceeds helping fund Christmas parties, pizza parties, National Night Out and Walk Wednesday.

Phillips also shared several crime statistics. The department responded to 8,134 calls for service in 2025, including 113 Part 1 offenses — such as robbery, theft, burglary and motor vehicle theft — and 284 Part 2 offenses, including fraud, forgery and criminal mischief. Officers also conducted 2,930 traffic stops.

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