Celeste Police Department

Celeste Police Department The City of Celeste provides Police services to the citizens of Celeste and support to the surrounding Hunt County area. For Emergencies please dial 911

CELESTE, TEXAS. Celeste is on U.S. Highway 69 two miles southeast of the headwaters of the Sabine River and ten miles northwest of Greenville in northwest Hunt County. Like many towns in Hunt County, it was a product of railroad development. The townsite was platted in 1886 by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway three miles north of Kingston, on open prairie already crossed by the Missouri, Ka

nsas and Texas line. This location was chosen in order to ensure that Kingston, whose elected officials had refused to offer incentives to attract the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe to build through their community, would be bypassed by the line as it put down tracks from Paris through Farmersville to Dallas. Celeste was named for the wife of a Santa Fe official. The two rail lines stimulated rapid growth. A Celeste post office opened in 1886, and a number of merchants moved their businesses from Kingston to Celeste. By 1888 three churches were holding services in the settlement. The population by the mid-1890s stood at 600, and the community maintained three gristmills and cotton gins, a bank, a weekly newspaper, and a graded public school. Celeste was incorporated in 1900, and its population increased from 671 that year to 850 on the eve of World War I. By 1914 the community had two banks, three cotton gins, a water works, an ice factory, and a weekly newspaper, as well as some thirty-five other businesses. It reported a population of 1,022 by 1926. Its high school and two elementary schools registered 500 students. Some fifty business establishments, including two banks and a newspaper, were in operation. After the 1920s, however, the population of Celeste fell from 803 in 1933 to 518 in the mid-1960s; businesses correspondingly declined, from thirty to sixteen. After the 1960s the town revived; in 1976 its population was 745. In 1982 the community, where World War II hero Audie Murphy once lived, had a bank, four churches, ten stores, and a school that enrolled 300 students. The population was 733 in 1990 and 817 in 2000.

*** HIGHWAY CLOSURE US 69 S ***US 69 is closed both directions just south of FM 903.  Between Celeste and Greenville.Pla...
02/17/2026

*** HIGHWAY CLOSURE US 69 S ***

US 69 is closed both directions just south of FM 903. Between Celeste and Greenville.
Plan on using alternate route.

Does anyone recognize this dog or know the owner?
02/11/2026

Does anyone recognize this dog or know the owner?

Another hero from our community
01/30/2026

Another hero from our community

Today, we honor the memory of Patrolman Joe Murphy, who gave his life in the line of duty on January 29, 1968.

Patrolman Murphy served the Frisco community with courage and dedication. He was a proud husband, father, and U.S. military veteran. Joe was also the brother of Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy—a family deeply committed to service and sacrifice.

His ultimate sacrifice reminds us of the risks every officer takes to keep our city safe. Though decades have passed, his legacy lives on in the hearts of his family, his fellow officers, and the community he served.

We will never forget his service. We will never forget his sacrifice.

End of Watch: January 29, 1968

*** TUESDAY 1/27/2026  5:30PM ***This photo was taken on US 69 just North of town earlier this evening.  Roads in our ar...
01/28/2026

*** TUESDAY 1/27/2026 5:30PM ***

This photo was taken on US 69 just North of town earlier this evening. Roads in our area are still slick and hazardous.

**** UPDATE ON HENRY ****I would like to report Henry has moved to a new location to live in his new home with extended ...
01/06/2026

**** UPDATE ON HENRY ****

I would like to report Henry has moved to a new location to live in his new home with extended family. I didn’t think it would be long before community members noticed he wasn’t hanging around his usual hot spots in town and ask about his status.
He is in a happy home and has a few K-9 cousins he enjoys playing with. They have accepted him as one of their own family.
Over the years he has brought many smiles and many Facebook post to our community. We all wish him well with his new adventures.

Love you Henry,
Chief Pell

The last couple of weeks our small town experienced tragedy with two residents loosing their lives in two separate accid...
10/28/2025

The last couple of weeks our small town experienced tragedy with two residents loosing their lives in two separate accidents. As your Police Chief I’ve spent time with both families.
Tana worked Saturday night and she sent me this photo of the two sides of a full rainbow. For two days now I have wanted to post this photo and along with it write some words of hope and healing for our community.
However, I’ve realized there are no magical words to type. To me this photo says it all. There are spiritual Godly things which far exceed our comprehension and understanding.

10/10/2025

***JUVENILE ADMITS TO LYING ABOUT HAVING A GUN***

Officers received information about a juvenile claiming they had a gun. An officer located the juvenile at the elementary within minutes of them making the statement. The juvenile admitted they lied when they stated they had a gun. A search of the juvenile confirmed they did not have a gun. Officers and deputies searched the immediate area and did not locate a gun. Parents also stated they do not own a gun.
AS ALWAYS - see something say something…
or as in this case, hear something say something.

09/15/2025

This afternoon, a student at Celeste High School experienced a medical emergency on campus. Our staff responded immediately and provided care until emergency medical services arrived. The student was awake and alert when leaving CISD and was transported for further evaluation and treatment.

We are grateful for the swift response of our staff and first responders. Please keep the student and their family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

A few weeks ago I posted about Officer Eisworth being intentionally ran over on his motorcycle by a suspect and asked fo...
07/10/2025

A few weeks ago I posted about Officer Eisworth being intentionally ran over on his motorcycle by a suspect and asked for prayers for he and his family.
I’ve learned today they amputated both his legs above the knee to help his chances of surviving. I just wanted to share this update with our community. Thank you all for your continued support.
- Chief Joe Pell

Address

201 N US Highway 69
Celeste, TX
75423

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 3pm
Tuesday 8am - 3pm
Wednesday 8am - 3pm
Thursday 8am - 3pm
Friday 8am - 3pm

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