Former Arlington and Dallas police chief David Kunkle dies at 72
David Kunkle, a former police chief in Arlington and Dallas, died Friday morning after a fight with Lewy body dementia, according to WFAA/Channel 8. He was 72.
Kunkle grew up in Hurst and was a graduate of L.D. Bell High School.
Kunkle was Dallas’ youngest police captain in history when he started there at 29 in 1972. He was police chief in Grand Prairie before he became the chief in Arlington in 1985. He stepped into the the role of Arlington deputy city manager in 1999.
Kunkle oversaw the opening of the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center, helped create department’s Honor Guard and helped shape the department’s community policing legacy, the Arlington police department said in a statement.
“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.
“Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and all of the employees whose lives he touched,” the statement read.
When he started as Dallas’ police chief in 2004, Kunkle’s priorities included reducing the crime rate, improving officer morale and connecting with the minority communities..
Kunkle called the role at the time “the most perfect dream job I’ve ever had.”
“I know I’ll have 1.2 million people looking at what I do and 3,000 police officers scrutinizing it to even a greater degree,” Kunkle told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at the time. “It comes with the territory, and I’m prepared to put myself in that arena.”
During Kunkle’s time in the position, the Dallas department saw a 32% decrease in violent crime, 34% decrease in the city’s homicide rate, fewer deadly force incidents and fewer in-custody deaths.
Kunkle retired as Dallas’ police chief in 2009, and ran for mayor of Dallas in 2011. He lost the runoff Mike Rawlings.
Kunkle was known for his accomplishments, he was also known for his conscientiousness and love of his privacy. Those who knew him say he was personable yet shy at times. And he was an avid runner.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram once reported Kunkle’s favorite restaurant in a 1990 profile. He stopped going.
Kunkle’s wife once bought him a $55 tie. He went back to the store and exchanged it for two cheaper ties.
And when it came time to buy a dog, Kunkle once spent two months researching Brittany spaniels.
In 2021, Kunkle donated personal items like his old badges to the department.
“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,” the statement reads.
Kunkle leaves behind his wife, Sarah Dodd, and son, Michael Kunkle, according to WFAA.
This story was originally published July 14, 2023 at 1:31 PM.
