TELLER COUNTY, Colo. — A Teller County fire chief arrested last week on domestic violence charges at first told sheriff's deputies that he was the one who was physically abused, according to an arrest affidavit.
The affidavit says Chris Hawkins, 41, claimed that his girlfriend had slapped him twice when deputies responded to a disturbance at the home they shared in Florissant on Jan. 6. He said he blocked the slaps with his hands, according to the document, and there were no marks on his face. She had left before deputies arrived.
The woman was later arrested in a parking lot in Cripple Creek, according to the affidavit, and she was taken to the Teller County Jail on suspicion of DUI and domestic violence.
The affidavit says the woman started to tell Cripple Creek officers and Teller County sheriff's deputies her side of the story and claimed she had a video, but stopped after she was read her Miranda rights. The affidavit says deputies didn't ask her any further questions. She was arrested for DUI and a domestic violence charge.
On March 26, the affidavit says, a sheriff's deputy received a phone call from an investigator with the district attorney's office saying there was a video on the woman's cellphone that was taken the night of the incident.
The affidavit says the video depicts Hawkins acting as the primary aggressor on the night of Jan. 6. It says Hawkins hit the woman and knocked the phone out of her hand. There also seemed to be a physical fight, according to the affidavit, which is heard but not seen on the video.
Court records show Hawkins was arrested on charges including harassment, obstructing telephone service and reporting a fake crime. All of the charges are misdemeanors.
Hawkins is the fire chief at Four Mile Fire Protection District in Florissant and has served with the department since February 2022, according to their website.
The Teller County Sheriff's Office declined to comment because it is an ongoing case.
Jeff Carnahan, president of the board for Four Mile Fire Protection District, said Hawkins remains on duty and there is no change to his status at this time. So far they have not launched an internal investigation but are monitoring the situation.
Hawkins' next court appearance is scheduled for April 22.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Investigations & Crime
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE FREE 9NEWS+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9NEWS" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.