Former Dallas and Arlington police chief David Kunkle has died from complications of Lewy Body dementia, he was 72-years-old.
David Kunkle had battled the disease, the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, for the last four years. He lost his fight today, according to his family.
Kunkle began his law engforcement careet with the Dallas Police Department in 1972. He was a former deputy city manager in Arlington when he became police chief there.
He was hired by Dallas in 2004, taking over from the chaotic years of Terrell Bolton. Many credit Kunkle with helping straighten out the department and raise morale.
Following his retirement from the Dallas Police Department in 2010, Kunkle was named the "executive in residence" for the W.W. Caruth Jr. Police Institute at the University of North Texas at Dallas, according to NBC 5.
Kunkle implemented some controversial policies such as ending high speed chases. Terrance Hopkins, president of the Black Police Association of Dallas, says at first officers did not like that. But he says Kunkle was right.
Kunkle is survived by his wife Sarah and his son, Mike Kunkle. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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