MFPD adds new officer, promotes Greer

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A brief Marble Falls Police Department (MFPD) ceremony at city hall Tuesday, Dec. 5, began with solemnity.

Chief Mark Whitacre asked for a moment of silence for San Marcos Police Department Officer Kenneth Copeland. The 19-year veteran was shot Monday while serving an arrest warrant. He was 58 years old.

“The event reminds us of the dangers officers face every day...but we are here to serve as the 'Blue Line,'” said Whitacre, referring to the role of law enforcement to stand between the public and those dangers.

“We are here today on a happy occasion to welcome a new member to that line,” he said. “He is our newest officer, Michael Tutor. He is a fine young man; the top gun and top of his class at the police academy.

“I congratulate your family. They have done a good job.”

After taking the oath of office from City Secretary Christina McDonald, Tutor's father, Russell, stepped forward to pin his badge to his uniform.

Sgt. Glenn Hanson stepped up at the end of the ceremonies to tell Tutor badge No. 1433 had been his own when he joined the force.

“I hope it serves you as well,” he said.

The 22-year-old has lived in Burnet County most of his life, including pre-school years in Marble Falls. Among a large family contingent that had come to see him take his oath of office, was Tutor's mother, Sally, and his pastor, Steve Hopkins, both also important in his life.

“I am blessed to have been saved at a young age and give credit to the work of Jesus Christ in my life to get me where I am today,” said Tutor. “I was home schooled all the way through high school. This allowed me to spend a lot of time with my father, who taught me to work hard and strive to do the highest quality work I could.”

Greer's CID promotion

The ceremony was also an opportunity to formally present the Detective Sergeant badge to Barry Greer.

His 12-year-old daughter, Jenna, performed the honor as his wife Amber looked on.

“We promote from within and Sgt. Greer has served the Marble Falls Police Department well (and) has continued his education. He lacks only a few semesters earning his college degree.”

Greer was born in Austin, but grew up in Marble Falls, graduating from Marble Falls High School in 1995.”

He attended Central Texas College in pursuit of a Homeland Security and Emergency Management degree and is now ranked as a junior at Penn State University in the Law and Society online degree program.

Greer was a paramedic with the Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Service for two years before joining the MFPD in 1999. He was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and recently transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

He has earned his instructor certification with Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and is an instructor for TASERs and the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST). He oversaw the field training program for 12 years.

Greer has received two lifesaving awards, a special merit award and Officer of the Year Award.