Sgt. Gregory L. Hunter

On Friday, June 18, 2004, at approximately 9:37 a.m., the Grand Prairie Police Department, family, friends, and the citizens of Grand Prairie, lost a husband, a father, a friend, a leader, a hero. Sergeant Gregory Lei Hunter, 54, was mortally wounded by an armed man in a van parked at Wal-Mart on Interstate 20. Sgt. Hunter was responding to a call to assist Officer Bruce Seix, regarding a suspicious van that had been parked overnight with its engine running and all doors locked, as it became a welfare issue. As Sgt. Hunter made contact with the suspect, he was ambushed as the suspect suddenly opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, fatally wounding Sgt. Hunter. Seix was wounded during the attack, but was able to return fire, killing the assailant. During the ensuing investigation, the United States Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol, Firearms, and Explosives discovered in the van an SKS rifle, two handguns, a fused pipe bomb, a cache of ammunition and components from a partially assembled bomb. The suspect was determined to be the subject of a domestic restraining order and was prohibited by state and federal law from possessing any firearms. Additionally, he was a fugitive from justice and was awaiting trial in Kansas for narcotic and alcohol violations, criminal possession of a weapon, obstruction of legal process and criminal possession of tear gas.

Sgt. Hunter joined the Grand Prairie Police Department on January 4, 1973. He was the first African-American police officer hired by the City of Grand Prairie to be commissioned by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. He was also the city’s first police officer shot and killed in the line of duty. Sgt. Hunter’s law enforcement career spanned for almost 30 years with his service to the Grand Prairie Police Department. Sgt. Hunter worked in Field Operations, Criminal Investigations Department, Special Investigations/Narcotics, Tarrant County Task Force, and Personnel and Training. He was promoted to Sergeant on March 1, 1999, where he served in the Field Operations Division as a Patrol Sergeant. Sgt. Hunter loved being on the street with his guys. He believed that police work was not just a job, but an honorable calling. He was a mentor to many officers, rookies and civilian employees.

Sgt. Hunter’s professionalism, loyalty and dedication to his work earned him many performance awards throughout his career including 1973 Rookie of the Year, 1979 City of Grand Prairie Employee of the Year, Police Officer of the Month on multiple occasions, 1986 Outstanding Police Officer of the Year, 1986 Lions Club Outstanding Patrol Officer of the Year, 1986 Lions Club Outstanding Policeman of the Year and 1997 Grand Prairie Police Association Support Officer of the Year. Sgt. Hunter was twice honored by his peers to carry the police department’s Respect Baton, an honor that is passed from one employee to another, who has demonstrated by their conduct, that they represent the three core values of the department – Commitment, Pride and Respect, once in September, 2001, and again in January, 2003. He received a Life Saving Award in 1979 for his heroic efforts in rescuing an elderly man from a burning building. His tenacious efforts in entering the burning trailer three times is a demonstration of his courage and commitment. Sgt. Hunter held 31 letters of commendation from residents, fellow officers and the Boy Scouts of America. Sgt. Hunter’s service awards include the Educational Achievement Award, Meritorious Conduct Award, Field Training Officer Award, Police Instructor License Award, 20 Year Service Award and Master Peace Officer Certification Award.

Sgt. Hunter was a humble, spiritual and honorable man in every way and he is remembered for his faithful and devoted love for his wife, daughter, and family, his smile, his laugh, his happiness, his positive nature, his kindness and his sincere love for his Lord. Greg was truly an example of a great man, a wonderful and loving husband and father, a loyal friend and great police officer, who willingly put his life on the line and made the supreme sacrifice. Sgt. Hunter’s legacy teaches that all of humanity, good or bad, should love one another and to always give praise to our Lord. Greg’s greatest honor was serving his Lord, where his abiding commitment was to always please the Lord and to always walk in His ways.

Sgt. Hunter is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Denise and their daughter, Erin.

After Greg was murdered, the Sgt. Gregory L. Hunter Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established by Denise and Erin, in memory and honor of Greg and his sacrifice. Each year, the Grand Prairie Police Association along with Denise and Erin, host the annual Sgt. Gregory L. Hunter Memorial "Remember the Fallen" Golf Tournament to assist with the scholarship foundation as well as other line of duty non-profits such the Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas, Texas Peace Officers Memorial Foundation, Concerns of Police Survivors; also MADD and Santa Cop. It is the desire of Denise and Erin to help students further their education, so they too, can become productive citizens in our world. This not-for-profit scholarship foundation will financially aid a graduating senior annually from each of the two high schools in Grand Prairie with $1000 scholarships to each high school.

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the Peacekeepers, for they shall be called the children of God."

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”