Chris Partlow is a recurring antagonist in the HBO series The Wire, serving as a minor antagonist in season 3, and later serving as the secondary antagonist of season 4 and season 5. Chris is the main enforcer and right hand man to drug lord Marlo Stanfield. As the Stanfield's head enforcer Partlow, along with his partner Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, is responsible for numerous street level murders and contract killings.
Biography
Very little is known about the early life of Chris. Apparently, he was molested as a child by an unknown person, which has served as a trauma for him throughout his life.
Chris also helps run the drug corners and teaching young recruits on how to sell drugs and kill Stanfield's enemies. Partlow is a key player in the war against the Barksdale organization, and carries out murders as Stanfield orders them. Working alongside young female soldier "Snoop", he disposes of bodies by opening up vacant buildings, covering the corpses in quicklime and sheeting, and then nailing the buildings shut.
When Stanfield dealer Fruit is killed, Partlow advises restraint, suggesting they kill the perpetrator instead of all the members of the independent drug crew he works with. Marlo agrees with Chris' approach and gives him the go-ahead to kill Fruit's murderer, Lex. Chris arranges for Lex to be ambushed by paying Little Kevin to tell him his girlfriend wants to meet him at night in a secluded spot.
Kevin pays an unwitting Randy Wagstaff to pass on the message. Once the trap is sprung, Lex is killed by Chris and Snoop. Chris is also responsible for the murder of a security guard who "talked back" to Marlo. Rumors on the street tie Chris to several other murders including victims known as Pookie and Byron.
As the police investigation of the Stanfield Organization came to a close, multiple members of the organization were arrested, including Chris. Due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the sudden success of the previously unsuccessful investigation, Marlo started suspecting a leak within the organization. Marlo instantly started suspecting young enforcer Michael Lee as a potential leak. Chris, who respected and liked Michael, expressed doubt about Michael being the leak. Marlo agreed, but stated that he didn't want to bet his future on that doubt. This is the last scene that Chris appears in, as he is sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.