Dallas Police Officer of the Year

David Pughes
Interim Chief of Police

David Pughes began his law enforcement career in Golden, Colorado with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in 1989.

He has been with the Dallas Police Department since November 26, 1990. Chief Pughes has worked in patrol, crimes against children, public integrity and homicide, and has also served as the commander of the training division.

He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology and a Master of Science Degree in Human Relations and Business. He is a certified TCOLE instructor and holds a Mater Peace Officer license.

Chief Pughes received national recognition for his work on eyewitness identification reform with the Dallas Police Department. In his 26 years with the Dallas Police Department he worked his way through the ranks to Executive Assistant Chief. He is currently serving as the Interim Chief of Police.

Faith Johnson
Dallas County District Attorney

Education: Johnson graduated from Price High School in Atlanta in 1968. She earned a psychology degree from Georgia State University in 1972 followed by a graduate degree in community counseling. She earned her law degree from Houston’s Texas Southern University in 1980.

Professional: Johnson was a Dallas County prosecutor from 1982 to 1989. She was the county’s first black female chief felony prosecutor and helped start the child abuse unit. She was appointed to preside over the 363rd District Court, a felony court in Dallas County, where she served for 17 years. She serves on the Department of Public Safety Commission and previously sat on the county’s juvenile board.

Personal: She is the youngest of 13 kids. She is also a secretary and board member of The Potter’s House church. Her parents were married until her mother’s death at 85 in 1989, two days after Johnson learned she had been appointed a state district judge. Her father died in 2007 at age 100. She lives in Cedar Hill.