David Kunkle, who served as chief of police in Dallas, Arlington, and Grand Prairie, died on Friday. He was 72.
The Arlington Police Department announced his death in a statement.
Kunkle served in different areas of the Metroplex for nearly four decades. Kunkle originally joined Dallas Police Department in 1972 as a beat patrolman, later becoming the youngest captain in DPD history.
The law enforcement veteran served three cities in DFW over his life, having served as the Chief of Police in Grand Prairie for three years and Arlington for 14 years before serving the City of Dallas again. Kunkle served 14 more years as the chief of police in Dallas before retiring in 2010, according to NBC 5 DFW.
“During Kunkle’s tenure at the Dallas Police Department, Dallas saw six consecutive years of crime reduction,” read a biography of Kunkle. “Crime went down a total of 36 percent during Kunkle’s time as Chief. In 2010, the City of Dallas reached its lowest crime rate in 40 years and had its lowest murder rate in 42 years. Homicides went from 248 to 148.”
After his retirement, Kunkle was named the “executive in residence” for the W.W. Caruth Jr. Police Institute at the University of North Texas at Dallas, of which he had been instrumental in the formation and funding.
Kunkle had also been one of the recipients of the Dallas Mayors’ Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor that can be awarded to Dallas citizens in 2021, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Kunkle had been previously diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Kunkle described this medical challenge when making a donation to a police museum in 2021.
“Ultimately, it’s going to be fatal,” said Kunkle in 2021, according to NBC DFW. “I don’t know if it’s going to be two years or 10 years, but it’s progressive, and each day it gets a little bit worse. But I’m honored to be here.”
“Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and the employees whose lives he touched,” said the Arlington PD in a tweet.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson tweeted a statement in the wake of the former police chiefs passing.
“Dallas is a stronger city because of former @DallasPD Chief David Kunkle,” said Johnson in the tweet. “Chief Kunkle’s service saved lives and set a new standard for police leadership across the nation. He will be remembered always for his dedication to keeping Dallas residents safe. May he rest in peace!”