Dallas mourned the loss of one of its longtime public servants Wednesday.
Funeral services were conducted for former Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle on July 19. Kunkle had served as a law enforcement officer and police chief in different cities in the metroplex for over 40 years.
David Kunkle died at the age of 72 on July 14 after losing a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
This law enforcement veteran served three cities in Dallas-Fort Worth over the course of his career. He was the chief of police in Grand Prairie for three years and in Arlington for 14 years before serving the City of Dallas again for 14 more years before retiring, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Family members and local law enforcement gathered on the grounds of Hillcrest Mausoleum and Memorial Park in Dallas at 10 a.m. to celebrate the life of the former police chief.
Steve Dye, Grand Prairie city manager and former police chief, spoke at the funeral service, highlighting Kunkle’s many accolades and accomplishments.
He stressed the mark Kunkle left on the over 30 police chiefs who had been under his tutelage and who later went to work across the nation.
“I was proud and honored to serve under Chief Kunkle, and he was a longtime friend and mentor to me and many of us here today,” said Dye at the service. “Professionally I would not be here without his wisdom support, guidance, friendship, and knowledge given to me by Chief Kunkle.”
Kunkle is survived by his wife of 17 years, Sarah Dodd, as well as his son, Michael Kunkle, and other family members, according to an obituary for the police veteran.
Dodd spoke at the funeral, tearfully noting Kunkle’s kindness and sense of humor. She called her late husband a “true original.”
“We were thankful for every day that we had together and we both recognized how truly lucky we were to have a once-in-a-lifetime love built on deep respect and mutual admiration and admiration,” said Dodd.
“After our first dinner together, he called me the next morning, and he said, ‘If we never spend time together again, I want you to know that you have changed my life in ways you will never understand.’ Well, my love, it is you who changed my life and I would not change a single day,” she added.