~2000 Dallas Police Award Honors
Sargent Tony Crawford ~

Sgt. Tony Crawford was responding to an assist officer call on November 13, 1991. While driving around the area he spotted two suspicious persons in the 3400 block of Wendover Road. After talking to them for a few minute, he decided to do a cursory search. One suspect produced a revolver and began shooting at Sgt. Crawford.

As he tried to take cover, Sgt. Crawford was shot in the back. He fell to the pavement, seriously wounded.

The suspects approached the wounded officer and began kicking him and beating him with the revolver. The suspects finally fled the location, taking Sgt. Crawford's 9 mm pistol. Officers responding to the location found Sgt. Crawford lying in the street apparently paralyzed. He had sustained a major injury to the spinal cord from the gunshot wound. He also sustained a skull fracture, a broken right elbow, and had numerous teeth knocked out from the beating.

An intensive investigation that lasted several days culminated with the arrest of two juvenile suspects. Both were escapees from a juvenile facility in central Texas who had stolen a pickup truck and pistol and fled to Dallas.

Sgt Crawford was transported to Baylor Hospital in very serious condition. He spent three days in the intensive care unit and three more weeks in the acute care unit. He remained in the hospital for an additional three months undergoing intensive rehabilitation. He continued in outpatient therapy for another four months, and in April, 1992 returned to work at the Northeast Station.

Today, Sgt. Crawford serves as the Community Relations supervisor where he co-ordinates the Northeast Operations Division's participation in community and special events. He also oversees the division's Crime Watch program and he frequently speaks to civic groups. Sgt. Crawford is also a spokesperson for the Dallas Blue Foundation, an organization which assists the families of officers slain, wounded or disabled in the line of duty. He also participates in the Mesquite Police Department's Slamma Bamma Jamma program, a motivational program designed to steer middle school students away from drugs, alcohol and delinquent behavior.

Though permanent confined to a wheel chair, he does not consider his condition to be a disability. His positive attitude and work ethic is reflected in the nearly 80 commendations he has received since returning to work. Sgt. Crawford and his wife Pat have been married 16 years. They have a nine year old daughter, Meredith. Michael S. Harris President Texas Chapter

Previous TRA Police Award Recipients in the Dallas Area

2000- Sgt. Tony Crawford
1999- Sr. Cpl. Thomas Cicio
1998- Officer David Liewellyn
1997- Sr. Cpl. Robert McGovern
1996- Sr. Cpl Ron Iscaro

~ 1999 Dallas Honors Police Officer ~
~ Senior Corporal Thomas Cicio ~

On Dec. 27, 1991 at 1:55 a.m., Sr. Cpl. Thomas Cicio was working a major accident on N Central Expressway when he was struck and critically injured by a drunk driver traveling in excess of 65 miles per hour.

Paramedics at the scene did not expect Sr. Cpl. Cicio to survive. Because of his extremely critical condition, paramedics wanted to transport him to Parkland Hospital by Care-Flight, but they were unable to do so because of weather conditions. Parkland doctors also gave him little chance of survival.

Both legs were broken (compound fractures) in two places each. His liver was lacerated in three places causing massive bleeding. More than 40 units of blood were given to Cicio. More than 20 % of his liver was removed; he had severe heart and lung trauma. Tubes were put in his chest cavity to allow the chest to drain. Cicio had a serious concussion causing swelling to the brain. His left shoulder was separated. He had three teeth knocked out completely and three more broken off at the gum line.

Sr. Cpl. Cicio endured 12 surgeries including bone grafts on his legs. After leaving the hospital, he spent three weeks at Baylor's Rehabilitation Center, and another eight months as an outpatient.

Nearly five months after his injury, he returned to light duty and then later was assigned to the Northeast station's investigative unit handling theft and burglary reports. Finally, on June 15, 1994, more than two and one-half years after his initial injury, he returned to patrol work.

In addition to his patrol work, Sr. Cpl. Cicio also trains new officers. He is a hard worker who still has to overcome the almost constant pain resulting from these injuries. His grit and determination set a positive example for others. Sr. Cpl. Cicio has overcome great odds to return to active duty with the Dallas Police Department.

In his off duty time, he juggles the activities of his two children with Mothers Against Drunk Driving volunteer work. He is also a member of the Mesquite Elks Club where he works to raise funds to support a children's diagnostic center.

Presenting the award on behalf of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, Elliott (Tony) Roosevelt Jr., a grandson of FDR and Eleanor, and Theodore Roosevelt Association President Larry Budner.