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Garret Collins
Although Dublin’s newest police officer didn’t originally intend to become an officer, he is no stranger to the Dublin PD.
Garret Collins, 24, is the son of Dyrel Collins, who retired from the Dublin PD and previously served with Stephenville PD, Richland Hills and the Midland Sheriff’s Office.
Garret didn’t initially intend to follow in his father’s footsteps. He was interested in planes from a young age. After graduating from Gordon ISD, he moved from his Huckabay home to pursue a degree in aviation maintenance at Texas State Technical College.
While a freshman, he was elected vice president in the school’s annual elections. This increased his responsibilities in an already busy schedule. Garret was facing an 80-hour week as a full-time student with a full-time job.
“I would go to school and work from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.,” he remembered. “I woke up at 8 a.m. and did it all again.”
Things were going well until he had to have a major back surgery that upended his progress.
Fate stepped in when his cousin’s husband suggested Garret try his job: corrections officer in Marlin.
“He had been working in the corrections field for a long time,” remembered Garrett “He said, ‘I’m about to leave, take my place.’”
Garrett found that the work paid well and that he genuinely enjoyed how officers were quick to help each other. He also enjoyed that the job made him come into contact with different people and personalities and determine how to resolve issues.
Between the work and the strong examples of his father and a family friend that was like an uncle to Garret, Garret decided to pursue a shield.
He graduated the Weatherford police academy on Dec. 12, 2020 and heard about the available position in Dublin which seemed like the perfect fit for a Huckabay native.
He has been on the job since Jan. 25 and is already enjoying getting to know the Dublin community and department, which he sees as “improving every day” and motivated to help their neighbors in whatever way they can.
Officer Collins is also excited to pursue any training or opportunities that might become available, saying that it would benefit both him and Dublin.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the community,” Collins said. “I can help them better by having a better relationship with them.”