On November 18, 2014, The Hilton Anatole played host to the 32^nd Annual Friends of the Dallas Police Department Banquet. Members of the department, both sworn and civilian, were honored for their dedication and commitment to the citizens of Dallas and the police department.

An Officer of the Year Award is given to one sworn and one non-sworn employee for the following bureaus: Office of the Chief of Police, Administrative Bureau, Investigations Bureau, Patrol Bureau, Strategic Deployment Bureau and Support Bureau. From these nominees, the Officer of the Year is selected, in addition to the Supervisor of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Field Training Officer of the Year, Reserve Officer of the Year and Non-Sworn Employee of the Year.

Officer and Detective of the Year: John Airaghi

The John T. McCarthy Officer of the Year award is in memory of John T. McCarthy, an officer who was murdered while investigating suspicious activity near White Rock Lake in 1981. The department has approximately 3500 sworn police personnel, and this award commends an officer who has shown exemplary contributions to law enforcement. Detective John Airaghi is a thirty year veteran and has been assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit since 2004. He is responsible for investigating criminal allegations that occur between family members or dating relationships. Between January 2013 and June 2014, Detective Airaghi investigated over 600 domestic violence offenses while maintaining a clearance rate of over 90%.

Supervisor of the Year: Sergeant Karl Guenther

Given in memory of Assistant Chief Bullard, the Marvin R. Bullard Supervisory of the Year Award is awarded to a supervisor for exemplary contributions to law enforcement. Sergeant Karl Guenther is a twenty four year veteran and is currently assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division. Since becoming a sergeant in 2003, Karl Guenther has been a well-respected supervisor, known for his thoroughness and knowledgeability. In the last 18 months, he and his officers have answered 15,258 calls for service, made 2,600 arrests, and cleared over 520 offenses bringing about a 19% drop in major crimes in his sector.

Rookie of the Year: Police Officer Justin Gladney

The Johnny Sides Rookie of the Year award originated with rookie officer Johnny Sides, who was murdered while attempting to arrest four transient criminals in 1951. Officer Justin Gladney graduated from the Dallas Police Academy with class 329 in June 2012. While at the academy, Justin was third in academic proficiency, third in firearms proficiency, second in motor fitness, and third overall in this class standing. Office Gladney has shown dedication and passion for his chosen career, most recently receiving a lifesaving award for preventing a citizen from jumping off a parking garage.

Field Training Officer of the Year: Senior Corporal George Francis Jr.

The field training program is instrumental in developing police recruits into future police officers. This award was created to recognize the accomplishments of those who are responsible for transforming new recruits into self-sufficient police officers. Senior Corporal George Francis Jr. is a twenty three year veteran and is currently assigned to the Southwest Patrol Division. He is known for this positive attitude and willingness to help others. Corporal Francis ensures that recruits are exposed to a variety of calls for optimal training and experience. He exhibits everything required of a trainer: commitment, patience, and a willingness to hit the streets with an untrained officer he’s meeting for the first time.

Reserve Officer of the Year: Sergeant Dwaine Sides

The Joe C. Jones Reserve Officer of the Year award is in memory of Joe Jones, who joined the Dallas Police Department Reserve Unit in 1968. Officer Jones was passed away from injuries resulting from an automobile accident while enroute to aid another officer in 1972. This award is given to recognize reserve officers and their dedication by volunteering their time to the Dallas Police Department and the citizens of Dallas while maintaining full time jobs in other professions. Reserve Sergeant Dwaine Sides joined the battalion after serving 37 years as a full time police sergeant. He is also a response team trainer for reserve and full time officers. Sergeant Sides volunteered 260 hours in 2013 and 229 hours as of July 2014.

Non-Sworn Employee of the Year: Juli Bailey

The James Taylor Non-Sworn Employee of the Year award is in memory of Chief Helicopter Pilot and Reserve Officer James “Chuck” Taylor, who passed away in 1984 from a helicopter crash. This award is given to recognize one of the 550 non-sworn employees of the police department and their dedication to the police profession. Crime technician Juli Bailey has been with the department for thirty years and has been assigned to the Southwest Investigative Unit for the last twenty years. Juli Bailey has processes 26,400 cases as a crime technician. She also reviews cases to develop suspect information or criminal patterns and to recover stolen property. Juli’s hard work has resulted in the production of suspect information on an average of 36 cases per year and the recovery of approximately $6,000 in stolen property annually.

Additional award recipients were honored in the following categories: Educational Scholarship, Medal of Valor, Meritorious Conduct, Police Commendation, Life Saving and Police Shield. Congratulations to all of the award winners.