(WBAP/KLIF) — A beloved police chief from North Texas loses his battle with with dementia.
David Kunkle was the type of police chief every rookie dreams of being respected, effective, and emulated. The 72-year-old died Friday morning after a lengthy battle with lewy body dementia.
Former Arlington jailer Laszlo Laky worked with Kunkle when he was Arlington Police Chief in 1986 and remembers him as a respected leader that everyone wanted to follow. Laky says he and Kunkle were hired on the same day. He said the late chief inspired people even in the late stages of his life when he would attend retirements, banquets, and community functions.
During his tenure as Dallas’ 27th police chief from 2004 to 2010, the city saw six consecutive years of crime reduction; reaching its lowest number of murders in 40 years.
Kunkle was also the police chief of Grand Prairie. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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Press Release from Arlington Police Department:
It is with great sadness and profound respect that we join the DFW community in mourning the loss of a remarkable man and public servant, Former Arlington Police Chief David Kunkle, Badge #1000.
Chief Kunkle led APD from 1985-1999 and then continued to serve the City of #ArlingtonTX as a Deputy City Manager. He also served as the Chief of the Grand Prairie and Dallas Police Departments during his storied and impactful career.
Chief Kunkle oversaw the opening of the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center, was instrumental in the creation of our Honor Guard, and helped shape APD’s legacy as a leader in community policing.
Those here at APD who worked for him often share stories about his sharp wit and his keen ability to remember his employees’ names and assignments — which makes how he was taken from us even more heartbreaking.
We were deeply honored when he and his family paid us a visit in 2021 to donate several of his personal items, including his old badges, to the department. These important pieces of APD history will help us keep his story and legacy alive for many years to come.
Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and all of the employees whose lives he touched.
