First responders, family honor life of Haltom City police officer who died from COVID
Remembered for his humor and smile, alongside his music taste, love of guns and countless duties to his community, Haltom City Police Officer Kristopher Hutchison, 31, was laid to rest Wednesday — a week after dying from COVID-19 complications.
Inside Northwood Church in Keller on Wednesday morning, hundreds of first responders, friends and family gathered to honor the police officer, who joined the Haltom City Police Department in 2016.
What normally would’ve been a somber event was filled with pockets of laughter as loved ones remembered Hutchison the best way they knew how.
“I’ll never stop seeing humor, and why? Because I know how much he loved to make people smile and to see people smiling around him,” Amber Hutchison, Kris’ wife, said at the funeral. “And I knew how much he loved to see those smiles, too.”
Hutchison, a Fort Worth native, was known for his love of his community. Prior to his time in law enforcement, the 31-year-old served in the Marine Corps, earning various medals including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, before being honorably discharged.
Hutchison went on to serve as a school resource officer at two local middle schools shortly after beginning his career in law enforcement. Coworkers and family said his service never stopped at the end of his shift.
“There are not enough words or comments to make to describe Kris, nor his impact he had on those around him,” Police Chief Cody Phillips said. “A few things we can certainly say, Kris loved law enforcement. He also loved to have fun, make people laugh, which we’re going to hear a lot about. The most important thing he loved was his family.”
Phillips recalled hiring Hutchison nearly five years ago as one of his first hires, saying the officer “quickly found his place in the department and became a valuable asset in our organization and in our community.”
“He showed his dedication and willingness to work on patrol, developing relationships with citizens and even being recognized for saving lives performing CPR,” Phillips said.
Fellow officer Carl Cage said that Kris reminded him of himself 10 years ago, as the two served the same schools as resource officers and Cage “showed him the ropes.”
Cage paused during his speech, until another officer made his way to the stage and put his hand on his shoulder. Cage continued, explaining that with their unit being so small, the brotherhood came easily, and quickly.
“We were close. Pick on each other close. Talk ---- close. This was an everyday thing. Over our group text it would easily get out of hand,” Cage laughed. “I believe he was the one who started sending our supervisor the middle finger emoji instead of a thumbs up. … Naturally, we all started doing it.”
Cage also recalled Hutchison’s love for firearms, saying that almost every week the 31-year-old’s famous catchphrase, “Wanna see my gun?” would come out of his mouth.
But the police officer was more than just someone who served Tarrant County, loved ones said. He was a father, best friend and son who would do anything for his family with a light-hearted spirit which was best shown through two songs that played at the funeral service — “Digital Love” by Daft Punk and “Rise Up” by B.E.R.
“Kris was notorious for using movie quotes to give people Hutch’s quote of the day,” Phillips said, laughing. “Kris also had a love for karaoke, which in and of itself was funny to watch. But that was only surpassed by the artist he loved to sing, Cher. Sit there and visualize Kris ... singing that. … The memories don’t stop there. Evidently, Kris had some great baking skills.”
His wife added that Hutchison was someone who helped her “navigate chaos together.”
“We went from struggling and being broke, paycheck to paycheck life, to welcoming our second child, having a house, two German Shepherds, a cat, and two vehicles,” she said. “I know that might seem average to a lot of people, but if you could ask him, he would tell you how we were living the American dream.”
The service ended with a police motorcycle procession that led a black Marine Corps hearse to his burial.
Hutchison died on Oct. 27 after battling COVID-19 for weeks. His family documented his health through a GoFundMe campaign which will go toward hospital and funeral expenses.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 3:46 PM.
