Dallas Police Install Memorial Street Signs for Fallen Officers

Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice

The Dallas Police Department recently honored Senior Corporal Bill "Doughboy" Daugherty with a ceremonial street topper, continuing the city's expanding effort to memorialize officers who died in the line of duty. According to the post, the department honored Senior Corporal Bill "Doughboy" Daugherty, who died on Aug. 10, 1992 while on duty. The memorial was installed at the intersection of eastbound I-635 Service Road and Skillman Street, near where the tragedy occurred over three decades ago.

A member of the Traffic Unit, Daugherty was working radar near the 9800 block of LBJ Freeway, also known as I-635, while riding his motorcycle. Daugherty initiated a routine traffic stop of a speeding vehicle, and was thrown from his motorcycle as he merged onto the freeway from the shoulder. An uneven surface between the shoulder and the freeway from previous construction work was to blame. The 1992 incident highlights the dangers officers face even during routine duties.

City-Wide Memorial Initiative

This latest installation represents part of a broader Dallas initiative to honor fallen first responders throughout the city. The Dallas City Council unanimously approved a program to honor fallen police officers, firefighters and paramedics who died in the line of duty with ceremonial street toppers bearing their names. The program, which gained momentum in 2022, aims to place memorial markers near locations where first responders lost their lives.

Dallas Fire and police have identified over 160 firefighters and officers who have died in the line of duty since 1892. The street toppers feature each fallen responder's name, rank, and "End of Watch" date, creating permanent reminders of their sacrifice. Most ceremonial markers will appear on top of street signs near where the first responder spent their final moments.

Personal Stories Behind the Badges

The program has deeply personal meaning for families of the fallen. Jo-Ann Jackson, whose husband Officer Brian Jackson was killed in 2005, expressed her gratitude for the initiative. "I am so happy," said Jo-Ann Jackson, whose husband, DPD Officer Brian Jackson, was killed in the line of duty in 2005. "People are going to see it and they're going to read it, and it's going to mark that day in history."

The memorial effort has also uncovered remarkable family connections. When officials installed the first street toppers in October 2024, The Dallas Police Department managed to find one of his descendants – Officer Kyle Koiner. While his family first thought the call from DPD was a scam, it turns out Riddell was his great, great, great, great grandfather. These discoveries add profound meaning to the ceremonies for both families and the department.

Lasting Impact on Communities

The memorial street toppers serve multiple purposes beyond honoring the fallen. After the street toppers, he said, residents who didn't know that person's story might research it and "keep their names alive." This educational aspect helps communities understand the sacrifices made by law enforcement and emergency responders throughout Dallas history.

As Dallas continues installing these memorials, the initiative represents a growing national trend of cities finding meaningful ways to honor their fallen heroes. The program ensures that officers like Senior Corporal Daugherty, who died performing routine duties that turned tragic, will be remembered by future generations who pass by these intersections daily. These simple street toppers transform ordinary corners into sacred spaces of remembrance, keeping alive the stories of those who gave everything in service to their community.