DALLAS – In a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, the City of Dallas will be honoring fallen first responders with the installation of memorial street toppers across the city. The City of Dallas, Dallas Police Department (DPD) and Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) will present the new First Responder Memorial Street Toppers in a ceremony held in the lobby of Dallas City Hall on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 9 a.m.
Following the ceremony, photo opportunities will occur as the first two street toppers are unveiled at the following intersections: one for fallen DPD officer William H. Riddell at the corner of Elm Street and North Hall Street, and one for fallen DFR officer John Dardeman at the corner of Main Street and South Walton Street.
Officer William Riddell was 55 years old when he was shot and killed on June 17, 1892. He and his partner had attempted to serve a warrant on a man for carrying a weapon. Officer Riddell served with the Dallas Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and seven children.
Firefighter John Dardeman, age 30, was killed when a large touring car crashed into his fire truck during at an active fire scene, pinning him between the car and the fire truck. Firefighter Dardeman was survived by his mother, two sisters, and three brothers.
The distinctive street toppers will be placed at intersections close to locations where the first responder lost their life serving the residents of Dallas in the line of duty. The toppers will feature the fallen responder’s name, rank, and “End of Watch” date.
“We are proud of the work our first responders do each and every day to keep our residents safe,” said Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “We are honored to commemorate those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and to celebrate the legacy of their commitment to safety for decades to come.”
Dallas City Council Member and Public Safety Committee Chair Cara Mendelsohn said, “This dignified and meaningful remembrance of first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Dallas residents will add to our Dallas history and respect of public safety professionals. I am honored to have helped bring this tribute to our public safety officers and have Dallas join cities across the U.S. who highlight their fallen officers in this way.”
Dallas Fire-Rescue and the Dallas Police Department have identified over 160 firefighters and officers who have died in the line of duty since 1892. The street toppers commemorating the oldest line of duty deaths will be placed in the beginning phases of this project.
The remainder of the initial batch of signs will be unveiled this fall. The Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue will work with the Transportation and Public Works Department and any available surviving immediate family for the creation and installation of remaining and future signs.
