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ABOUT SGT. GREGORY L. HUNTER
In Loving Honor and Memory of Grand Prairie, TX Police Sergeant Gregory L. Hunter
October 1, 1949 - June 18, 2004
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 dedicated and loyal officer, 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.
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; mother, sister, aunt, sister-in law, brother-in-law, a niece, nephews and cousins.
In Loving Honor and Memory of Grand Prairie, TX Police Sergeant Gregory L. Hunter
October 1, 1949 - June 18, 2004
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 dedicated and loyal officer, 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.
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; mother, sister, aunt, sister-in law, brother-in-law, a niece, nephews and cousins.
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