When I joined the Dallas Police Department Reserve Unit, it wasn’t for an award. I signed up because I wanted to serve. I wanted to stand beside the men and women who step into uncertainty every single day and still answer the call.
Being named the 2025 Reserve Officer of the Year by the Assist the Officer Foundation is an honor I take seriously. This kind of recognition makes you stop and think about what this work means, not just for me, but for the whole Dallas Police family.
To me, this award isn’t about a title. It’s about trust.
If you haven’t worn a badge, it’s hard to explain what trust feels like in law enforcement. Trust means someone lets you watch their back. It means they believe you’ll show up when things get tough. It means they know you’ll make the hard call when it matters.
Working in trauma care has taught me that the truth comes out quickly. In the emergency room, there’s no room for pretending. You have to act with purpose, or you lose time you can’t get back.
In many ways, law enforcement is much the same.
Every decision carries weight. You know your choices affect more than just you; they touch families, partners, and entire communities. It’s not only the officer on scene who feels it. It’s the spouse at home, the kids waiting for a parent to come back, and the partner in the passenger seat, listening to the radio and hoping for a routine shift.
That’s where the Assist the Officer Foundation comes in.
From the outside, it’s easy to focus on the big, dramatic moments: the headlines, the footage, the chaos. But behind every call is a person, and behind every person is a support system working to hold things together.
That’s why being honored at the 32nd Annual Cop’s Cop Banquet meant so much to me. The people in that room know what the badge really costs. They understand the emotional toll, the physical risk, and the quiet moments afterward that most people never see.
One moment I will never forget was hearing the words shared about Ed Lujan and what he and his family have carried since his line of duty injury. I have known Ed for a long time, and I have always respected the strength it takes to keep moving forward when life changes in an instant.
Hearing his son speak was especially meaningful. There was honesty in his voice. There was love and pride. And there was a kind of gratitude that stayed with me long after the event ended. I want to say this directly: I appreciate those kind words more than I can express. I also appreciate the way Ed’s family has carried his story with courage. Their strength reflects what the Blue Family is all about.
I’ve always believed that medicine and law enforcement have the same mission at their core: protect life, reduce suffering, and hold the line when others can’t.
That belief led to the Dallas PD Tactical Medic Program. I saw a gap that needed to be filled. In high-risk situations, seconds matter. It’s not enough to be nearby; the care has to be right there with the team. The training must fit the environment, and the mindset must stay calm under pressure.
Bringing advanced medical support into SWAT operations was never about ego. It was always about outcomes: giving officers the best chance to go home at the end of the day and giving the team confidence that if something goes wrong, they’re not alone.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to receive commendations, including the Dallas PD Medal of Valor. But honestly, those aren’t what come to mind first.
I remember the quiet talks after a tough call. I remember the look in an officer’s eyes when the adrenaline fades. I remember the relief when someone pulls through who might not have. And I remember what it feels like to be part of a team that never gives up.
This award reminds me that service doesn’t end when the shift does.
Service continues in the way we mentor, the way we show up for each other, the way we check in on people long after an incident is over. Some of the most meaningful moments for me have been working with younger officers. Sharing what I’ve learned about managing stress, staying grounded, and navigating a job that can be both incredibly demanding and incredibly rewarding.
To the Assist the Officer Foundation: thank you for what you do and what you stand for. You don’t just recognize service; you help sustain it.
To my fellow reserve officers, this recognition belongs to all of us. We volunteer our time because we believe in the mission. We keep showing up because we know it matters. We do it for each other and for the community we serve.
This award means a lot to me, but more than anything, it renews my commitment to keep serving with humility, to keep leading with discipline, and to keep building trust while protecting the people who protect Dallas.
