OKC Police Officer In Heated Legal Battle With Estranged Wife, Charged With 4 Felonies

An Oklahoma City officer had a tense day in court on Thursday with his estranged wife. Officer Kristopher Gellenbeck faces four felony criminal charges and is in a heated legal battle with his wife.

An Oklahoma County judge continued a victim’s protective order his wife requested after an incident in March that landed him in jail. Gellenbeck was placed on paid administrative leave but recently the department suspended his pay.

The allegations against Gellenbeck include kidnapping, domestic violence and interfering with a 911 call. The officer’s divorce attorney denied the charges in court during a hearing and refused to comment on camera following the hearing. 

Court records stated the alleged domestic violence started in December. Gellenbeck's estranged wife claimed he closed her arm and upper body in a large gun safe as she tried to grab documents. He told her he would keep smashing her until she stopped, court documents said.

In March, there was an altercation over security cameras Gellenbeck removed from their home. Police said Gellenbeck took the victim's phone away, keeping her from calling 911 and pushed her into a bedroom which left injuries.

“It is a very unfortunate set of circumstances that have led us to being where they are,” said Brian Putnam, wife’s attorney.

Putnam represents the officer's wife in their divorce case. He said this case is different than most in that his client is married to a police officer.

“As a police officer, you’re wearing the uniform, you’re wearing the badge,” said Putnam. “Every little thing you say or do reflects not only on you as an officer but on the police department as a whole.” 

While Gellenbeck has not lost his job, the charges have kept him from seeing his three children for months.

“We are very hopeful that both parties will be able to sort out all of these differences for the children’s sake,” said Putnam.

The judge did remove the children from the VPO which allows Gellenbeck to resume visitation with them.

A hearing for his criminal case has not been set.