The Annual Friends of the Dallas Police Department Awards Banquet was held at Gilley’s on November 10, 2020. 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 from each of the assistant chiefs. Below are the top winners for the Officer of the Year and Non-Sworn Employee of the Year awards.

The Marvin R. Bullard Supervisor of the Year is Lieutenant Stephen Bishopp

This award is given in memory of Assistant Chief Marvin Bullard to acknowledge a supervisor with exemplary contributions to law enforcement. Lieutenant Bishopp is currently assigned to the Northwest Patrol Division. A 30-year veteran of the Department, Lieutenant Bishopp has served as an administrative sergeant, a field training supervisor and a deployment (plainclothes) supervisor tasked with surveillance in high crime areas, where he’s followed criminal suspects and executed arrest warrants for felony suspects. During his career, he has received 72 commendations, eight departmental awards, a Certificate of Civic Achievement, Safe Driving, Marksmanship, U.S. Military Veteran Award, and Perfect Attendance. 

The Detective of the Year is Detective Derrick Chaney

This award is given in the memory of James R. Leavelle, the veteran Homicide Detective, who was handcuffed to Lee Harvey Oswald when he was shot by Jack Ruby after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  Dallas Police Department Detective of the Year is Detective Derrick Chaney. Detective Chaney is currently assigned to the Homicide Unit of the Crimes Against Persons Division. He has been with the Dallas Police Department for 21 years. Detective Chaney has received 51 commendations and many other awards and recognition from numerous local and federal organizations. He is a respected leader in the unit. He serves as a training officer for new detectives and the go-to cell phone expert. Like other great detectives, Detective Chaney instills confidence and transparency with every case he investigates, consistently leading the unit with murders cleared.

The Field Training Officer of the Year is Senior Corporal Ivan Saldana

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 Saldana is currently assigned to the Southwest Patrol Division. He has served the citizens of Dallas for 19 years. He has received 55 written commendations, a Meritorious Conduct Award, a Police Shield Award, and a Certificate of Merit. . Senior Corporal Saldana has used his experience to mentor, develop, and impart wisdom to over 130 recruits at divisions across the city.

The Joe C. Jones Reserve Officer of the Year is Jerry Rhodes

The Joe C. Jones Reserve Officer of the Year award is in memory of Joe C. Jones who joined the Dallas Police Department’s Reserve Unit in 1968. Reserve Officer Jones 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. 

Reserved Officer Rhodes has been with the Dallas Police Department for 47 years. He served 37 years as an active officer, retiring as a Detective and 10 years as a reserve officer. Officer Rhodes has received over 370 commendations from residents and supervisors, two certificates of appreciation from the US Department of Justice-Drug Enforcement Administration, two Certificates of Merit, and a 30-year Perfect Attendance Award. Most recently, Reserve Officer Rhodes has coordinated with 105 police departments who have experienced a line of duty death. Offering comfort and support to the departments and to the families of the fallen officers, he also sent care packages to 6,000 medical personnel on the front lines fighting the coronavirus in eight New York City hospitals.  

The James Taylor Non-Sworn Employee of the Year is Sovannsamnang Soksovann

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. Public Service Officer Soksovann was awarded the Non-Sworn Employee of the Year. He is assigned to Central Patrol’s Jubliee Park and has been with the Dallas Police Department for 19 years. Officer Soksovann strives for excellence every day at the Jubilee Park storefront and always displaying a helpful and cheerful attitude toward officers and residents alike.

The John T. McCarthy Officer of the Year is Officer Aaron Rucker

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.  The Officer of the Year for 2020 is Officer Aaron Rucker. Officer Rucker is assigned to the South Central Patrol Division and has been with the Dallas Police Department for 14 years.

Additional award recipients were honored in the following categories: Friends of the Dallas Police College Scholarship, Meritorious Conduct, Meritorious Conduct Unit, Police Commendation, and Life Saving Award.

Congratulations to all our recipients for their outstanding work!!!