The 43rd annual Friends of the Dallas Police Awards Banquet paid tribute to 357 extraordinary officers and professional staff members of the Dallas Police Department on Nov. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. With nearly 1,000 guests in attendance, the event was presented by Nexpoint Philanthropies and organized by the Friends of the Dallas Police.
The top two honors were presented to Senior Corporal David Massey of the Wellness Unit, who was named John T. McCarthy Police Officer of the Year, as well as Administrative Specialist II Paola Romero Vazquez of Employee Relations who received the James C. Taylor Professional Staff Employee of the Year Award.
"The ceremony is a testament to the bravery, dedication and selflessness displayed daily by the men and women of the Dallas Police Department,” said Interim Chief Igo. “These awards not only honor individual excellence but also highlight the collective commitment of our organization to serve and protect our communities with integrity and compassion. It is a privilege to stand alongside these remarkable officers and professional staff members as we celebrate their notable achievements."
The family of Officer Darron Burks, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on Aug. 29, 2024, was presented the Police Cross. In addition, Senior Corporal Karissa David and Senior Corporal Jamie Farmer received the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary heroism shown when responding to the horrific incident.
Joining Interim Dallas Police Chief Michael Igo, who personally congratulated each award recipient, was Interim Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Dallas Chief of Public Safety Dominique Artis, several Dallas City councilmembers, Dallas Fire Chief Justin Ball and other community leaders.
The Dallas Police Honor Guard and Dallas Metro Police Pipes & Drums presented the colors, the Dallas Police Choir performed the National Anthem, and Reverend Jacob Dankasa of the Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church delivered the invocation. Dia Wall, WFAA-TV anchor, served as the master of ceremonies.
Major awards plus Chief’s Awards presented this year
While many awardees knew they were award recipients prior to the ceremony, the top awards were revealed during the ceremony. Recipients were chosen from nominations submitted by DPD supervisors to the Meritorious Conduct Board based on overall yearly performance.
The Marvin R. Bullard Supervisor of the Year Award went to two individuals – the Sworn Supervisor Award was given to Sergeant Kelvin Pope of the Traffic Unit, Tactical & Special Operations Bureau, and the Professional Staff Supervisor Award went to Tanisha Harris of Personnel Services, Administrative Bureau.
The James R. Leavelle Detective of the Year was presented to Senior Corporal Olivia Zambrano of the Domestic Violence Unit Investigations Bureau, and the Field Training Officer of the Year went to Senior Corporal Joseph Dillard of Southeast Patrol. The Telecommunicator of the Year Award went to 911 Call Analyst II Carlos Sierra, and the Johnny Sides Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Police Officer Ryan Nunns of South Central Patrol. The Joe C. Jones Reserve Officer of the Year Award was given to Reserve Officer Michael Freeman of the Reserve Unit, Patrol Bureau.
Six officers received Police Shield Awards including Senior Corporal Raul Diaz, Senior Corporal Joshua Gonzalez, Senior Corporal Kevin James, Senior Corporal Edgar Morales, Police Officer Tyler Morris and Retired Sergeant John Barton.
Meritorious Conduct Unit Awards were presented to the Fugitive Unit, Northwest Prostitution Task Force, Special Investigations Division Tactical Training Group, Special Investigations Overdose Unit and the Special Response Group. The Friends of the Dallas Police also bestowed Meritorious Conduct Awards to 11 officers, Police Commendation Awards to 52 officers and Life Saving Awards to 75 officers.
The Chief of Police Citizen Award was presented to Pete Schenkel, and the Chief of Police Volunteer Awards were presented to DPD Reserve Deputy Chief Dr. Alex L. Eastman and the Dallas Metro Police Pipes & Drums. Additionally, Interim Chief Igo presented the Chief’s Award to two units – the Honor Guard and the Wellness Unit – as well as Senior Corporal Karissa David and Police Dispatch Analyst Owen Larsen.
Nominees (and bureau winners) for the John T. McCarthy Dallas Police Officer of the Year, which was presented to Senior Corporal David Massey (Office of Chief of Police Bureau Officer of the Year), were Police Officer Corey Parker (Administrative Bureau Officer of the Year); Officer Julio Flores (Community Engagement and Operations Officer of the Year); Officer Daniel Waller, Jr. (Northeast Patrol Division Officer of the Year); Officer Alban Karanfili (Northwest Patrol Division Officer of the Year); Senior Corporal Jacob Deloof (Southeast Patrol Division Officer of the Year); Officer Jennifer Atherton (South Central Patrol Division Officer of the Year); and Officer Edward Resendez, Jr. (Southwest Patrol Division Officer of the Year).
Nominees (and bureau winners) for the James C. Taylor Professional Staff Employee of the Year Award, which was presented to Administrative Specialist II Paola Romero Vazquez (Administrative Bureau Professional Staff Employee of the Year), were Administrative Specialist I Tiffany Young Jones (Office of the Chief of Police Bureau Professional Staff Employee of the Year); Community Outreach Representative Dr. Chen Yuan (Community Engagement and Operations Patrol Bureau Professional Staff Employee of the Year); Crime Scene Analyst Jamie Mueller (Investigations Bureau Professional Staff Employee of the Year); Fleet Coordinator Juan Cruz (Southeast Patrol Division Professional Staff Employee of the Year); and Fleet Coordinator Jennifer Greer (South Central Patrol Division Professional Staff Employee of the Year).
The 2024 Anita Ruiz Family Foundation Educational Scholarship Awards, given to the child of a DPD employee for college tuition, provided $5,000 scholarships to three deserving students. The first recipient was Rachel Fox, daughter of Sergeant Timothy Fox, a 34-year DPD veteran assigned to the South Central Investigative Unit. The second recipient was Ontanayia Hatter, daughter of Sergeant Tawanna Manuel, a 17-year DPD veteran assigned to the Jubilee Park Storefront. The third recipient was Colton Weltman, son of Reserve Officer Dean Weltman, a 22-year DPD veteran assigned to the Reserve Unit.
In addition to Presenting Sponsor Nexpoint Philanthropies, Major Sponsors are Lisa and Kenny Troutt; Hunt Consolidated, Inc. and The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated Inc.; Copart; Sam Pack’s Five Star Family of Dealerships; and QuikTrip. Lieutenant Sponsors are Anita Ruiz Family Foundation; Central Market; Access Healthcare; Freeman Auto Group; Hillwood; Baylor Scott & White Health; Ellen McStay – In Honor of Cynthia Villarreal; 7-Eleven; Sewell Automotive Companies; and The Alinda Hill Wikert Foundation.
About Friends of the Dallas Police
Founded in 1982 by a group of Dallas business leaders, the Friends of the Dallas Police Awards event recognizes the DPD employees for outstanding performance in the line of duty and raises money to celebrate those employees who risk their lives every day to make Dallas a safer city. The Friends organization believes that no matter their position within the department, each of DPD’s employees has made a commitment to better the city and the quality of life of its citizens. For more information about the Friends of the Dallas Police, go to friendsofthedallaspolice.org.