On February 17, Dallas Independent School District Police Chief Albert Martinez presented commendations to members of the force for their work and dedication within the school district and in the City of Dallas.

He thanked them for their servant leadership and decisive actions in saving lives and solving high-profile cases in the community.

That same day, a man identified as Jose, a DISD contractor, was honored for his “heroic actions” that ultimately saved a student’s life. Although the DISD Police did not reveal the details of the situation, the department said in a social media post that Jose’s “prompt intervention and exceptional dedication were crucial in safeguarding” the well-being of a student experiencing a mental health crisis.

The DISD Police Department, comprising 200 police officers, security officers, and administrative staff, serves more than 144,000 students and 21,000 staff members in 241 schools and administrative service buildings.

Chief Martinez took on the role of top police officer for the district in February 2024 after serving as second-in-command at the City of Dallas Police Department under former Chief Eddie Garcia.

In an interview last year, he said his leadership in the DISD Schools Police Department would be centered around his team members to help them understand the value of their contributions to the department and the district.

“Like our teachers, our principals, and other employees, everyone’s doing this work from their heart,” Martinez said, per Dallas ISD. “My job here as a leader is to tap into my people’s hearts of service. I want them to grow, not only professionally and personally. I want to foster that type of growth environment.”