The Annual Friends of the Dallas Police Awards Banquet was held at the Hyatt Regency on October 29, 2018. Members of the department, both sworn and non-sworn, were honored for their dedication and commitment to the citizens of Dallas and the Dallas Police Department.

A sworn and non-sworn employee are selected as Employee of the Year from the Office of the Chief of Police and each of the Assistant Chiefs. The Officer of the Year and Non-Sworn Employee of the Year are selected from these award winners.

The Police Cross

The Police Cross is awarded to an officer who performed under honorable circumstances and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Last night we  honored and paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is with great honor, that we award the following officers with the Police Cross.

OFFICER ROGELIO SANTANDER, JR.

Officer Santander was a three-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department. He always wanted to be a Dallas Police Officer. For him, his job wasn’t just a duty; it was his passion. He was a young adult who loved to play basketball, soccer, golf and to go to the gym. Most importantly, he loved to spend time with his FAMILY. He is survived by his father, Rogelio Santander, Sr.; his mother, Julia; his brother, Chris Santander; his girlfriend, Jennifer Rivera, and his grandfather, Ignacio Garcia.

 SENIOR CORPORAL EARL “JAMIE” GIVENS III

Senior Corporal Givens had a passion and love for riding motorcycles, which he shared with his fellow law-enforcement motorcycle officers, his fellow Celtic Warriors, and the motorcycle club that he founded and led for many years. Senior Corporal Givens, or Jamie as he was known, worked in a variety of assignments in the Dallas Police Department where he served honorably, devoting his life for over 32 years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Cindy; mother, Delores; sister, Lourinda; and sons, Garrett and Greyson. 

The Marvin R. Bullard Supervisor of the Year is Sgt. David Graham

This award is given in memory of Assistant Chief Bullard to acknowledge a supervisor with exemplary contributions to law enforcement. Sgt. Graham is currently assigned to the South Central Patrol Division. He has served the citizens of Dallas for 30 years. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1998 and has traveled the country training correctional, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Sgt. Graham has earned over 115 commendations and has a 25-year Perfect Attendance, soon to be 30-Year Perfect Attendance. His dedication and willingness to do anything and everything asked of him has made a significant impact on overall crime in the Southeast Patrol Division.

 

Detective of Year is Steven David

The Dallas Police Department Detective of the Year is Detective Steven David. Detective David is currently assigned to the Homicide/SIU . He has been with the Dallas Police Department for 37 years and promoted to Senior Corporal in 1988. During his tenure he has received several internal and external commendations, as well as Officer of the Month and Cops Cop Award. Currently he is involved in a ministry called “I am Second” teaching the boys in the Henry Wade Detention Facility Life Skills in a Christian based setting.

 

The Field Training Officer of the Year is Sr. Corporal Jose Isidoro Bernal 

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 Bernal is currently assigned to South Central Patrol Division. He has served the citizens of Dallas for 13 years.  He is always in the field volunteering for calls giving his recruits ample opportunity to grow and experience a vast

array of situations.

The Johnny Sides Rookie of the Year is  Police Officer Jacob Spearman

The Johnny Sides Rookie of the Year Award was created to honor the memory of Johnny Sides who was murdered 21 days after graduating from the police academy when he was 21 years old. The recipient is selected by the Jaycees from the top three nominations presented by the Meritorious Conduct Board. Police Officer Jacob Spearman is currently assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division. Officer Spearman was a member of recruit Class 350. He followed in the footsteps of his father when he joined the department.

 

The Joe C. Jones Reserve Officer of the Year is Reserve Senior Corporal Jeffery Metzger

 

The Joe C. Jones Reserve Officer of the Year award is in memory of Joe C. Jones who joined the Dallas Police Department Reserve Unit in 1968. Officer Jones passed away from injuries resulting from an automobile accident while en route 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 Senior Corporal Metzger has served 8 years as a Dallas Police Reserve officer, assigned to the SWAT unit. Prior to serving in SWAT, he served as a non-sworn tactical physician for the department. In addition to SWAT operations, he is a certified diver on the  Dallas Underwater Recovery Team. He is also the associate professor of emergency medicine at UT Southwestern and chief of emergency service at Parkland Hospital. Senior Corpoal Metzger exemplifies the kind of police officer that all Dallas Police Reserves should aspire to be like.

The James Taylor Non-Sworn Employee of the Year is Deborah Joseph

The James Taylor Non-Sworn Employee of the Year award is given in memory of Chief Helicopter Pilot and Reserve Officer James “Chuck” Taylor, who passed away in 1984 from a helicopter crash. This award recognizes a non-sworn employee of the department for their dedication to the police profession. Deborah Joseph is Executive Assistant in the office of the Chief of Police. Deborah has served for 38 years.

The John T. McCarthy Officer of the Year is Police Officer William Chase Bruce

The John T. McCarthy Officer of the Year Award is given in memory of John T. McCarthy, an officer who was murdered while investigating suspicious activity near White Rock Lake in 1981. This award commends an officer who has shown exemplary contributions to law enforcement. The nominees are submitted to the bureau commanders for consideration by supervisors throughout the department. The Officer of the Year is selected by the Chief of Police.  Officer of the year for 2018 is Police Officer William Chase Bruce. He is 5 year veteran of the Dallas Police Department. Officer Bruce is currently assigned to the  Southeast Patrol Division.

Additional award recipients were honored in the following categories: Friends of the Dallas Police’s College Scholarship, Medal of Honor, Medal of Valor, Meritorious Conduct, Meritorious Conduct Unit, Police Commendation, Life Saving and Police Shield.

Congratulations to all of the award winners.

 

 

Photos courtesy of james edward Creative

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