David Kunkle, Former Chief of the Dallas Police Department, was honored on Friday, November 5, as Faith Family Academy Charter School broke ground on its ‘Circle of Honor.’
The Circle of Honor is a memorial for veterans and first responders. A section of the memorial was named after Kunkle.
Kunkle attended the event with his wife and a host of other guests.
Rick Mozley of Faith Family Education Foundation said, “we’re honored to dedicate one wall to recognize the first responders in our community.”
Mozley added that one wall will be dedicated as the “Chief David Kunkle First Responder Wall.”
Kunkle said he came to the event for the ceremony and he has never been more impressed by a group of young men and women. The former Dallas police chief said he felt honored.
“These kids are far more mature than I was at that age,” Kunkle said.
In 2019, Kunkle was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a type of Alzheimer’s.
Kunkle, however, said that he has no complaints about his medical issues. He said that life had been good to him.
“They’re disturbing to me because I was always so healthy and ran and lifted weights and stuff,” Kunkle said. “I never suspected that I’d be the one to come down with this disease.”
When the former Dallas police chief was asked for words of wisdom, he said, “enjoy life and contribute to the community.”
Faith Family Academy is the only charter school in the country with a Naval Junior ROTC program, won a national award in its first year of eligibility. Three students of the school enlisted in various branches of the military after graduation this year.