Christopher Cook

Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police @WSPDTX • Retired Deputy Police Chief @ArlingtonPD • Author of The Art of Strategic Communication

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

The event that I most look forward to each year... We hosted our fifth annual Awards Banquet on Friday night that recognized outstanding work across our public safety teams and community which was completed in 2025. Congratulations to all of our @WSPDTX police officers, animal control officers, @WESTCOMMTX dispatchers, and code enforcement team members who received well-deserved recognition.

We also want to thank our Mayor and City Council for attending this event along with the City Manager's Office. Your presence matters and is appreciated.

Special thank you to our donors who made this ceremony possible. Photos by Derek Staine.

FORMAL AWARDS BESTOWED:
Overall Employee of the Year:  Corporal Laura Gonzalez

WEST COMM 911 Dispatcher of the Year: Kim Podsednik

Professional Staff Employee of the Year: Sheryl Lee

P.A.W.S. Employee of the Year: Sarah Getz

Code Enforcement Officer of the Year: Juan Bello

Supervisor of the Year - Administrative: Brandi Vineyard

Sergeant of the Year: Lana Cook

Corporal of the Year: Jonathan Russell

Detective of the Year: Geovanny Ramirez

Officer of the Year: Nathen Perez

Rookie of the Year: Brian Leal

Community Partner Agency of the Year: Fort Worth Police Department Real-Time Crime Center (accepted by Lt. Jesse Alanis)

Community Partner of the Year: Tarrant County MHMR Olivia Van Ness

Citizen of the Year: Attorney Jose Robles, Jr. 

Volunteer of the Year - Citizens on Patrol: Vivian Byrd

Volunteer of the Year - Police Chaplain: Pastor Charles Lavine

Chief’s All-Star Award: Samantha Byrd

Chief’s All-Star Award: NCIC Supervisory Special Agency Craig Shattuck

Chief’s All-Star Award: Rick Smelley

Chief’s All-Star Award: Special Olympics North Texas Jordan Baccus

Chief’s All-Star Award: Officer Thomas Hale

Chief’s All-Star Award: VFW #5617 Dean Borries

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

Enjoyed the West Tarrant Chief's Alliance hosted by NCIS SSA Craig Shattuck and led by Westworth Village Chief Kevin Reaves.
Great networking luncheon for our leadership teams in western Tarrant County.

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

Outstanding work by @WSPDTX Sergeant Frank Blaustein's team this morning on recovering an occupied stolen car from Durant, Oklahoma that had entered our city at Silver Creek Road and Loop 820 Service Road.
At around 9:49 a.m. on Saturday morning, our team responded to a @Flock_Safety license plate reader alert that a stolen vehicle was traveling eastbound on Silver Creek Road. Officer Thomas Hale was in the area and located the vehicle at a local convenience store in the 700 block of N. Las Vegas Trail.
Additional responding officers to Officer Hale's location who assisted in the apprehension of the suspect included Corporal Will Poarch, Officer Jonathan Loser, Officer Stuart Totz, and Sergeant Blaustein. It was later determined that the suspect intended to continue his journey to California according to Durant Police Officers.

@WESTCOMMTX Dispatchers Debbie Blaustein and Terry Nunley were on the dispatch consoles assisting with the call.
GREAT WORK! CAR RECOVERED! SUSPECT IN JAIL!

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

Wishing the @wsisdschools Brewer High School Lady Bears the very best as they travel to Austin for the State Championship! Go Lady Bears!!!

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

We had a great monthly luncheon at the North Texas Police Chiefs Association with Chief Steve Dye in @Allen_Police hosting the meeting. 1st Vice President @MidlothianPD Carl Smith managed the meeting for President @HaltomCityPD Cody Phillips.

@MansfieldPDTX Police Chief Tracy Aaron and Assistant Chief Jason Turpinat recognized four of their detectives after being selected to receive the NTPCA Officer of the Quarter awards. These detectives responded to a suspicious death call, where a four-year old child was also abducted from the home. With their incredible work and speed, the suspect was apprehended quickly in Missouri through mutual cooperation and coordination with local and state agencies. Outstanding work!

[WSPD @WSPDTX]

Our April monthly report shows a 15% decrease in property crimes with multiple suspects arrested for recent burglary of motor vehicles. Total calls for service trended down about 3%. Hope everyone has a great week!

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

Today, just like many communities across our great nation, we gathered together to honor our military heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms and way of life. We were blessed to have the Honorable Gordon R. England, our 72nd and 73rd Secretary of the Navy under President George W. Bush and the 29th Deputy Secretary of Defense, to serve as our guest speaker at today’s ceremony. A packed crowd listened to his remarks about the true meaning of Memorial Day and patriotism. Secretary England's message was timely as our nation prepares to celebrate our 250th anniversary.

This was White Settlement's 24th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony as a military aviation community. We will never forget those who have given everything for our great country. God bless the USA! Please keep our Gold Star Families in your thoughts and prayers today.

Special shout out to our @WSPDTX Honor Guard team for always performing with precision, skill, and reverence. It does not go unnoticed.

[WSPD @WSPDTX]

On this Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor those who have given their lives defending freedom. God bless the USA. As a reminder, our local Memorial Day Ceremony will commence at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park this morning (Monday, May 25, 2026).

[Fort Worth Star-Telegram @startelegram]

White Settlement Brewer softball advances to state championship for first time https://t.co/Mu8rfNVorr

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

Mayor Faron Young with joined @WSPDTX this morning to wish the @wsisdschools Brewer High School Softball team the very best as they head to Athens High School for Game 2 of the State Semifinals!

Go Bears! WSPD rooting for all of you as you make history!

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

@LensOfMae That’s awesome. I’ll post the photos on our social media when you get them up

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

As we look back over National Police Week, we are grateful for those who have given their lives in service to our community. We will never forget their legacies and service to our noble profession. Blessed are the peacemakers!

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

@BNSFRailway 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

We really wanted to get this project across the finish line during National Police Week. Our @WSPDTX Honor Guard unveiled new street sign toppers that have been erected across town that serve as a visual reminder of the sacrifices that police officers have made in service to the community. Each sign was installed near the location where each officer’s last call for service occurred.

We wanted to honor these fine officers who gave everything in service to our community. The blue line signs will serve as a permanent reminder for generations of citizens and officers to always remember our heroes.

Special thanks to our Mayor Faron Young for serving as the introductory speaker and our City Council for approving the resolution for the signs authorizing the naming and placement at a private driveway and two public roadways to honor the three fallen officers who lost their lives during the line of duty.

This was our fifth annual memorial ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Our team was able to provide a duplicate sign to each family that honors their loved one. Family members representing the Gomez and Monier families were in attendance during this event. Outstanding work by our Honor Guard on the presentation of the Colors and Memorial Wreath during the ceremony. The singing of the National Anthem was performed by Samantha Byrd.

We will NEVER FORGET:
Corporal Albert Rene Gomez | End of Watch: July 27, 2021
Captain George Scott Monier | End of Watch: April 24, 2002
Captain DeWitt Wid Spivey | End of Watch: March 12, 1955

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

Thank you to the White Settlement Area Chamber of Commerce for the invite to speak to your group today during the monthly luncheon. Happy to share what has been going on around town and with the @WSPDTX department!

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

The Texas Sons of the American Revolution Leadership Team, including Past President Mike Connelley, presented @WSPDTX Sergeant Frank Blaustein, Officers Thomas Hale, Jonathan Loser, and Luke Osborne with Life Saving Awards on the recent fire evacuation call at a local hotel. Thank you for taking the time to recognize our team!

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

As National Police Week begins, we pause to remember and honor our Heroes. On Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 6 p.m., our @WSPDTX Honor Guard will be hosting our fifth annual Peace Officer Remembrance Ceremony at the police department in the front parking lot. We have something special to unveil this year so please make plans to attend.

We uphold our solemn promise to never forget!

Corporal Albert Rene Gomez
Captain George Scott Monier
Captain DeWitt Wid Spivey

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

Happy Mother’s Day! Wishing all the wonderful moms out there a very special day!

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Maj. Taylor "FEMA" Hiester in 2024 at NAS JRB FTW. Check out this new video that recently published:

Viper Legacy (2026) - A look inside the USAF F-16 Demo Team https://t.co/QMUOrBZVRR

Maj. Taylor Hiester is the United States Air Force F-16
Viper Demonstration Team Commander and Pilot
stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C.

He is responsible for representing the the United
States Air Force, the Department of Defense and the
United States of America at more than 20 air shows
annually around the world.

[Christopher Cook @cooktx]

Congratulations to @WSPDTX Officer Stuart Totz who graduated from the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Police Academy Class #313 in Arlington this morning, culminating a journey that started in November 2025. He received his police academy diploma and was also recognized for a physical fitness achievement during his time at the academy.

This afternoon, we were able to get him officially sworn in with the State of Texas Oath of Office.

Please provide a warm welcome to Officer Totz and his family as he embarks on his field training phase. He comes from a law enforcement family as his dad is retired and his brother is a police officer in Seguin.

Welcome Stuart! Congrats and we are ready to serve alongside you!