Court papers: Police officer accused of killing 3-month-old son admits to crime
HENRY COUNTY, Tenn. — A now former West Tennessee police officer, charged with the murder of his 3-month-old son, faced a judge Friday morning. Court papers show he confessed to the brutal crime. His badge and gun now taken away, he finds himself on the other side of the law. “Fair and impartial,” Paris Police Chief Charles Elizondo said. “If you do wrong you go to jail. That’s the way it is.” A former officer sits behind bars accused of the heinous crime. “I know all the family, both sides,” Elizondo said. “It’s just a tragic loss.” Chris Page worked for Paris police since June, that was until he was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse in the death of his son, Gunner Page. “When he was charged Thursday afternoon, his separation was automatic from the Paris Police Department and the City of Paris,” Chief Elizondo said. Gunner was born June 9, only days after Elizondo said Page started at the department. “They brought the baby up one day and I got to see Gunner,” Elizondo said. “Like I said, it’s a tragedy.” Chief Elizondo said it was disheartening when the charges came down because Page had been one of their top applicants when they began looking for new patrol officers. “His credentials were impeccable,” Elizondo said. “It just goes to show that it can happen to anyone.” Investigators said Gunner sustained serious injuries earlier this month at their home in Puryear. Gunner later died from those injuries at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. “It’s tragic when you have a life that young that’s lost,” resident George Combs said. “But I’m thankful that our justice system is working.” A rookie waiting to attend the academy in just a few months now awaits a judge and jury. “No one is above the law,” Combs said. “So I’m thankful that justice will be served.” Chris Page is being held in the Carroll County Jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond. A special judge, Judge Larry Logan from Carroll County, and prosecutor will handle the case. Before working with Paris police, the department says he held correction officer positions at the Henry County and Davidson County jails. Page’s next court appearance has not yet been set.
