Honoring Former Arlington Police Chief & Deputy City Manager Kunkle

Published on July 14, 2023

By Office of Communication

Today, the City of Arlington pauses to reflect on the life and service of public servant and former Arlington Police Chief David Kunkle. Chief Kunkle, who served as Arlington’s police chief and as Deputy City Manager, died on July 14, 2023. He was 72.

Chief Kunkle served as the Arlington Police Chief from 1985 to 1999. During his time as chief, he oversaw the opening of the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center and was instrumental in the creation of the Arlington Police Department Honor Guard.

After his tenure as the Arlington Police Chief, he served as Arlington’s Deputy City Manager for five years.

"I had the good fortune to work for David for several years when he was serving as a Deputy City Manager for us,” Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton remembered. “He started our modern community-based policing that we still practice today. I learned plenty from him."

Chief Kunkle, also served as the police chief in Grand Prairie before coming to Arlington, and later served as the police chief in Dallas until he retired in 2010.

Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and all the lives he touched.