DART Police Officers, Teamwork Honored at Awards Ceremony

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Police Department paused to recognize individuals' actions during their annual ceremony Tuesday, April 18. Dozens of officers and staff received recognition and praise for their bravery, dedication and outstanding performances in 2016. 

Individually recognized were Fare Enforcement Officer Zachary Lacey as Staff Specialist of the Year, Officer Theresa McClellan as Officer of the Year, Sgt. Tony Hinojosa as Supervisor of the Year and Lt. Kevin Lindsey as Manager of the Year.

Chosen as Team of the Year was the National Night Out team of Officer Melanie Cade, Officer Eva Pipkin, Officer Justin Ellis, Lead Telecommunicator Brenda Lee and Police Specialist Mary DeLira.

The ceremony included a special tribute to officers and individuals thrust into precarious situations on July 7, 2016 when an armed gunman began shooting at El Centro College near three DART properties: West End Station, Central Business District West Transfer Center and Rosa Parks Plaza. 

DART's first Medal of Honor was bestowed posthumously to Officer Brent A. Thompson who was tragically killed that day. Thompson also received the department's first Police Cross.

Medal of Valor awards were given to Officer Kristopher Stewart, Officer Lee Canon, Officer Robert Craig and Officer Kristopher Carter. Police Commendations went to Lt. Don Hyder, Sgt. Chris Hunt, Sgt. Tori Hutchins, Sgt. Crystal Parker, Detective Joseph Stinson, Officer Shamika Sorrells and Police Specialist Michelle Killinger. The Life Saving award was earned by Officer Kristopher Carter, Officer Kristopher Stewart and Officer Temple Kramer.

Four officers were shot that day. In recognition, the Police Shield was presented to Officer Misty McBride, Officer Lee Cannon, Officer Jesse Retana, and, accepting the award for Officer Brent Thompson was his wife, Officer Emily Thompson. 

Certificates of Merit were presented for excellence in police performance to Sgt. Richard Tear, Sgt. Cesario Rodriguez, Sgt. Homer Hutchins, Sgt. Keith Austin, Cpl. Luevada Campbell, Officer Stacy Glover, Officer Johnathan Williams-Cooper, Officer Anthony Rhodes, Officer James Varney, Officer Christopher McGee, Officer Dakari Davis, Telecommunicator Angela Masterson and Telecommunicator Krysta Davis. 

Letters of Commendation went to Sgt. Stephen Jones, Sgt. Warren Mays, Sgt. Billy Rawlinson, Cpl. Gary Hutchison, Officer Christopher Cobb, Officer Wayne Walston, Officer Melanie Cade, Officer Dana Hartfield, Officer Melanie Serrao, Officer Laquana Towery, Officer Delia Allison, Officer William Ouellette, Officer Justin Ellis, Officer Richard Moore, Officer Douglas Huse, Officer Miguel DeLeon, Officer Geno Maya, Lead Telecommunicator Brenda Lee, Telecommunicator Mimi Bowman, Camera Monitor Steve Wiggins, Camera Monitor Robin Payne, Monica Robledo-Jones, Angel Velez, Sonia Garcia and Jean Haertel. 

Non-police department employees recognized with the Chief's Award were Morgan Lyons, Nancy Johnson, Laneshia Hawkins, Daniel Washington, Marty Durston, Josefina Chavira and Yvette Martinez.