The fiancé of former Port Arthur Police officer Chris Jeffries has been charged with his shooting death.

An arrest warrant was issued for Ethel Marie Eulian, 47, who lived with Jeffries in a home in the 2200 block of Glenwood. Justice of the Peace Marc Derouen issued the warrant and bond is set at $500,000. She was located at a residence at Villa Main Apartments.

Jeffries was found dead from a gunshot wound in a back room of his home on Feb. 21. He was last seen Feb. 19, police said.

“Detectives have been working pretty much nonstop,” PAPD Maj. Raymond Clark said.

The arrest, he added, means a lot to the community as well as the peace of mind of the officers who knew Jeffries.

Clark said Eulian has an extensive criminal record but could not elaborate.

In addition, a 4-year-old child was in the home at the time of the incident.

“She had a child she was keeping, we’re not sure who the child belongs to, that was instrumental in the case,” he said.

Police received a tip regarding the incident on Feb. 19 and asked Eulian permission to check on the welfare of Jeffries. She refused, police said.

Law enforcement later forcibly entered the home and found Jeffries dead.

Murder is a first-degree felony. The penalty ranges from five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Jeffries was on the PAPD force about six years and resigned in the late 1990’s.

Jeffries’ death marks the first homicide in the city this year.

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