In a notable gesture of acknowledgment within the law enforcement community, Lieutenant Christer Matthews of the Plano Texas Police Department has been awarded the 2025 DA Greg Willis SuperSleuth Award, indicating a recognition for excellence in criminal investigations that surfaced in only a handful of officers this year; the award underlines the dedication officers like Matthews bring to complex and emotionally charged cases that not only grip the communities they serve but also rattle their departments to the core.
As detailed in a social media post from the Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office, Lt. Matthews was notably involved in the investigation and subsequent prosecution of the capital murder case of Richardson Police Officer David Sherrard, this became the Richardson PD's first line-of-duty death and brought forth a devastating wave of shock and mourning, Plano PD, under Matthews, then took the helm of this critical investigation, exemplifying a commitment that went beyond the initial investigation and into the rigorous realm of trial preparation and the pursuit of justice through the death penalty.
This acknowledgment is not a mere pat on the back but reflects Matthews' rare collaboration with the prosecution team, he not only contributed evidence but became integral to the strategy and presentation of the case in the courtroom, such active engagement from an investigator, especially post-trial is unusual and speaks tones of the substance he brings to the office.
Matthews's involvement has transcended the norm, as the accolade by the Collin County DA's office suggests, he has continued to support the writ team in the appellate process, ensuring that the conviction and sentence undergo the scrutiny of appellate justice, he did so not just as a figurehead but as an agent doing the work, and that effort is crucial for the community, for Officer Sherrard's family, and for the entire law enforcement fraternity deeply impacted by such a loss.
The work of Lt. Matthews and the validation he has received through the DA Greg Willis SuperSleuth Award not only underscores an individual's quest for justice but also illustrates the ripple effect such dedication can have on a broader scale—the reverberation is felt not only in Collin County, but across the Lone Star State and the nation, for cases like these transcend their local boundaries, they become narratives that define our collective pursuit for a society that is just, that holds the memories of its fallen protectors with the gravitas they deserve.
