Lifesaving awards given to 42 officers

By Becky Mayad

The 44th annual Friends of the Dallas Police Awards Banquet paid tribute to 235 extraordinary officers and professional staff members of the Dallas Police Department Nov. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. With more than 800 guests in attendance, the event was presented by Nexpoint Philanthropies and organized by the Friends of the Dallas Police. 

The top two honorees were Police Officer Joe King of the Wellness Unit, who was named John T. McCarthy Police Officer of the Year, as well as Caseworker I Jacqueline Laymance of the Vice, Tactical & Special Operations Bureau who received the James C. Taylor Professional Staff Employee of the Year Award.

“It is an honor to stand alongside the Friends of the Dallas Police Department in recognizing and presenting these awards to the outstanding men and women of the Dallas Police Department,” said Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux. “Tonight, we don’t just recognize their work, we also recognize their honor, their courage, their families’ support and their unwavering commitment to keeping Dallas safe. I’m deeply proud to lead a department built on such heart, integrity and devotion to our community.”

Rounding out his first six months at DPD’s helm, Chief Comeaux personally congratulated each award recipient. Joining him were Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Dallas Chief of Public Safety Dominique Artis, Dallas Fire Chief Justin Ball, Dallas City councilmembers 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 Dallas Police Chaplain Dale Vick, Chief of Chaplains for the Texas State Guard, delivered the invocation. Candace Sweat, veteran reporter for NBC 5 (whose mother served with DPD for 25 years), served as the master of ceremonies.

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 Jeffrey Beezley of the Central Business District — Bike Unit, and the Professional Staff Supervisor Award went to Sandra Sadduk of Focused Deterrence, Tactical & Special Operations Bureau.

The James R. Leavelle Detective of the Year was presented to Senior Corporal Guy Curtis of the Crimes Against Persons, Investigations Bureau, and the Field Training Officer of the Year went to Senior Corporal Horace Webb of the North Central Patrol Division. The Telecommunicator of the Year Award went to 911 Call Analyst III Susaye Ringgold and the Johnny Sides Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Police Officer Jonathan Baum of the Southwest Patrol Division. The Joe C. Jones Reserve Officer of the Year Award was given to Reserve Officer Sidney Whitley of the Patrol Alpha Bureau.

Nine officers received Medal of Valor Awards including Senior Corporal Corie Reed, Officer Nathaniel Baker, Officer David Lem, Officer Richard Pace, Officer Vladimir Perez, Officer Joel Portillo, Officer Zachary Anderson, Officer Jacob Forman and Officer Derek Williams. 

Meritorious Conduct Unit Awards were presented to five units — the Crimes Against Children Unit — Internet Crimes; Crimes Against Children Unit — High Risk Victims Squad; Crime Scene Response; Foxtrot 760s; and the Recruiting Unit. The Friends of the Dallas Police also bestowed Meritorious Conduct Awards to four officers, Police Commendation Awards to 35 officers and Life Saving Awards to 42 officers.

The Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Mehrdad Moayedi, and the Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Cathy Norris. Additionally, Chief Comeaux presented the Chief’s Unit Award to the Recruiting Unit, as well as Chief’s Awards to Sergeant James Peeler, Jr. and Martin Riojas, Jr., assistant director, Police Administration.