Chief David Kunkle will be laid to rest today after battling Lewy body dementia. He was 72.
The funeral for the former Chief of Police in Dallas and Arlington will be later today.
Kunkle’s life and legacy will be celebrated today at 10:00AM at the Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home.
Services will be available by livestream.
RIP Chief David Kunkle
Kunkle served as Dallas’ top cop from 2004 until his retirement in 2010.
Kunkle is credited for improving officer morale and enacting smart policies that created nationwide ripples.
His first assignment was Dallas’ Northwest Patrol Division in 1972. He also served as police chief in Grand Prairie and Arlington.
In a written statement, Chief Eddie García of Kunkle, “he left a legacy and very high bar to achieve for any leader of this organization.”
In an statement to Dallas Police, Garcia said Kunkle was a progressive chief who was “willing to make tough decisions.”
Garcia continued, “His leadership echoes today in how we police our city and in our current policies and procedures.”
Kunkle was also police chief for Arlington. A statement by their city said in part Kunkle was a “remarkable man and public servant.” He also served as Deputy City Manager there.
In 2011, he ran for mayor against Mike Rawlings. Former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller wrote an op-ed for The Dallas Morning News calling him Dallas’ “unlikely savior.”