Mesquite police's `Santa' dies of a stroke at age 51 ~ Toy program to continue in his memory, officers vow
Santa Claus lost one of his helpers Friday.
Mesquite police Officer Reese Bullard, the badge behind the beard for his department's annual Santa Cop program, died of a stroke at his home, hours after an organizational meeting for this year's toy drive.
But his colleagues said Santa will still be on duty this Christmas.
"That program will continue, and we will do exceptionally well this year in his memory," said Officer Don Williams, who will take over as Santa.
Officer Bullard, 51, played Santa for the department for more than a decade. Under his guidance, the Santa Cop program drew donations that brought toys to more than 400 needy children.
"Oh, gosh, we're really going to miss him," said his supervisor, Sgt. John P. Jones. "Losing him is like knocking one of the supports out from under this station."
The sergeant described Officer Bullard as a meticulous officer and informal leader.
He joined the department in 1968 after serving in Vietnam. Officer Bullard received 43 commendations over his career, more than any other officer on the force, said Capt. Bob Piccioni.
"He was really very concerned about the community," the captain said. "He took the time to talk to people and get involved in things. He wasn't the kind of guy to just go out there and do everything by the book; he'd take everything into account."
Office Bullard was Mesquite Police Officer of the Year in 1991 and served on organized crime and narcotics task forces.
"He had a lot of intuition, a good feel for the job," Sgt. Jones said.
He also had a very dry sense of humor, the sergeant said.
As an example, he recalled a time when the department used map pins to keep track of burglaries. Another officer noticed that Officer Bullard's district showed far fewer burglaries than others, and asked how he kept his district so free of crime.
"He said, `Well, I've been pulling the pins out,' " Sgt. Jones said.
The Santa Cop program had a modest beginning more than a decade ago, Officer Williams said.
Officer Bullard was concerned about the children he saw on his beat and decided to do something for them, he said.
So one year, he bought some presents, traded his uniform for a Santa Claus suit and paid surprise visits to several families.
"He'd drive away in a police car, and no one would ever know who it was," Officer Williams said.
Somehow, his identity was eventually revealed, and the program grew, he said. Capt. Piccioni called the drive a logistical nightmare, what with coordinating and storing donations, picking out recipients and distributing the gifts.
"We all admired and respected the amount of work he put out on his own time," Sgt. Jones said.
Officer Bullard's death was the second this year to affect the Santa Cop program. Gary Voss, a Mesquite resident who helped run the toy drive, died earlier this year.
Officer Bullard's colleagues were stunned by his death but said they would keep the program going. Phones rang constantly Friday with offers of donations and help, Officer Williams said.
People wishing to donate new toys may drop them off at the police station, 711 N. Galloway Ave. Donations may be mailed to Mesquite Police Santa Cop Program, P.O. Box 850137, Mesquite, Texas 75185-0137.
Officer Bullard, born in Sulphur Springs, is survived by his mother, Virginia Bullard of Dallas; brother and sister-in-law, Timothy and Mary Ann Bullard of Grants Pass, Ore.; grandmothers Ruby Roberts and Franki Bullard; two nephews; a niece; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Grove Hill Funeral Home, 3920 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas.
Services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Urban Park Baptist Church, 6508 Military Parkway in Dallas. Burial will follow in Grove Hill Memorial Park.
Dallas Morning News
November 20, 1993
Santa Claus lost one of his helpers Friday.
Mesquite police Officer Reese Bullard, the badge behind the beard for his department's annual Santa Cop program, died of a stroke at his home, hours after an organizational meeting for this year's toy drive.
But his colleagues said Santa will still be on duty this Christmas.
"That program will continue, and we will do exceptionally well this year in his memory," said Officer Don Williams, who will take over as Santa.
Officer Bullard, 51, played Santa for the department for more than a decade. Under his guidance, the Santa Cop program drew donations that brought toys to more than 400 needy children.
"Oh, gosh, we're really going to miss him," said his supervisor, Sgt. John P. Jones. "Losing him is like knocking one of the supports out from under this station."
The sergeant described Officer Bullard as a meticulous officer and informal leader.
He joined the department in 1968 after serving in Vietnam. Officer Bullard received 43 commendations over his career, more than any other officer on the force, said Capt. Bob Piccioni.
"He was really very concerned about the community," the captain said. "He took the time to talk to people and get involved in things. He wasn't the kind of guy to just go out there and do everything by the book; he'd take everything into account."
Office Bullard was Mesquite Police Officer of the Year in 1991 and served on organized crime and narcotics task forces.
"He had a lot of intuition, a good feel for the job," Sgt. Jones said.
He also had a very dry sense of humor, the sergeant said.
As an example, he recalled a time when the department used map pins to keep track of burglaries. Another officer noticed that Officer Bullard's district showed far fewer burglaries than others, and asked how he kept his district so free of crime.
"He said, `Well, I've been pulling the pins out,' " Sgt. Jones said.
The Santa Cop program had a modest beginning more than a decade ago, Officer Williams said.
Officer Bullard was concerned about the children he saw on his beat and decided to do something for them, he said.
So one year, he bought some presents, traded his uniform for a Santa Claus suit and paid surprise visits to several families.
"He'd drive away in a police car, and no one would ever know who it was," Officer Williams said.
Somehow, his identity was eventually revealed, and the program grew, he said. Capt. Piccioni called the drive a logistical nightmare, what with coordinating and storing donations, picking out recipients and distributing the gifts.
"We all admired and respected the amount of work he put out on his own time," Sgt. Jones said.
Officer Bullard's death was the second this year to affect the Santa Cop program. Gary Voss, a Mesquite resident who helped run the toy drive, died earlier this year.
Officer Bullard's colleagues were stunned by his death but said they would keep the program going. Phones rang constantly Friday with offers of donations and help, Officer Williams said.
People wishing to donate new toys may drop them off at the police station, 711 N. Galloway Ave. Donations may be mailed to Mesquite Police Santa Cop Program, P.O. Box 850137, Mesquite, Texas 75185-0137.
Officer Bullard, born in Sulphur Springs, is survived by his mother, Virginia Bullard of Dallas; brother and sister-in-law, Timothy and Mary Ann Bullard of Grants Pass, Ore.; grandmothers Ruby Roberts and Franki Bullard; two nephews; a niece; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Grove Hill Funeral Home, 3920 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas.
Services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Urban Park Baptist Church, 6508 Military Parkway in Dallas. Burial will follow in Grove Hill Memorial Park.
Dallas Morning News
November 20, 1993
Mesquite police's `Santa' dies of a stroke at age 51 ~ Toy program to continue in his memory, officers vow
Santa Claus lost one of his helpers Friday.
Mesquite police Officer Reese Bullard, the badge behind the beard for his department's annual Santa Cop program, died of a stroke at his home, hours after an organizational meeting for this year's toy drive.
But his colleagues said Santa will still be on duty this Christmas.
"That program will continue, and we will do exceptionally well this year in his memory," said Officer Don Williams, who will take over as Santa.
Officer Bullard, 51, played Santa for the department for more than a decade. Under his guidance, the Santa Cop program drew donations that brought toys to more than 400 needy children.
"Oh, gosh, we're really going to miss him," said his supervisor, Sgt. John P. Jones. "Losing him is like knocking one of the supports out from under this station."
The sergeant described Officer Bullard as a meticulous officer and informal leader.
He joined the department in 1968 after serving in Vietnam. Officer Bullard received 43 commendations over his career, more than any other officer on the force, said Capt. Bob Piccioni.
"He was really very concerned about the community," the captain said. "He took the time to talk to people and get involved in things. He wasn't the kind of guy to just go out there and do everything by the book; he'd take everything into account."
Office Bullard was Mesquite Police Officer of the Year in 1991 and served on organized crime and narcotics task forces.
"He had a lot of intuition, a good feel for the job," Sgt. Jones said.
He also had a very dry sense of humor, the sergeant said.
As an example, he recalled a time when the department used map pins to keep track of burglaries. Another officer noticed that Officer Bullard's district showed far fewer burglaries than others, and asked how he kept his district so free of crime.
"He said, `Well, I've been pulling the pins out,' " Sgt. Jones said.
The Santa Cop program had a modest beginning more than a decade ago, Officer Williams said.
Officer Bullard was concerned about the children he saw on his beat and decided to do something for them, he said.
So one year, he bought some presents, traded his uniform for a Santa Claus suit and paid surprise visits to several families.
"He'd drive away in a police car, and no one would ever know who it was," Officer Williams said.
Somehow, his identity was eventually revealed, and the program grew, he said. Capt. Piccioni called the drive a logistical nightmare, what with coordinating and storing donations, picking out recipients and distributing the gifts.
"We all admired and respected the amount of work he put out on his own time," Sgt. Jones said.
Officer Bullard's death was the second this year to affect the Santa Cop program. Gary Voss, a Mesquite resident who helped run the toy drive, died earlier this year.
Officer Bullard's colleagues were stunned by his death but said they would keep the program going. Phones rang constantly Friday with offers of donations and help, Officer Williams said.
People wishing to donate new toys may drop them off at the police station, 711 N. Galloway Ave. Donations may be mailed to Mesquite Police Santa Cop Program, P.O. Box 850137, Mesquite, Texas 75185-0137.
Officer Bullard, born in Sulphur Springs, is survived by his mother, Virginia Bullard of Dallas; brother and sister-in-law, Timothy and Mary Ann Bullard of Grants Pass, Ore.; grandmothers Ruby Roberts and Franki Bullard; two nephews; a niece; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Grove Hill Funeral Home, 3920 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas.
Services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Urban Park Baptist Church, 6508 Military Parkway in Dallas. Burial will follow in Grove Hill Memorial Park.
Dallas Morning News
November 20, 1993
Santa Claus lost one of his helpers Friday.
Mesquite police Officer Reese Bullard, the badge behind the beard for his department's annual Santa Cop program, died of a stroke at his home, hours after an organizational meeting for this year's toy drive.
But his colleagues said Santa will still be on duty this Christmas.
"That program will continue, and we will do exceptionally well this year in his memory," said Officer Don Williams, who will take over as Santa.
Officer Bullard, 51, played Santa for the department for more than a decade. Under his guidance, the Santa Cop program drew donations that brought toys to more than 400 needy children.
"Oh, gosh, we're really going to miss him," said his supervisor, Sgt. John P. Jones. "Losing him is like knocking one of the supports out from under this station."
The sergeant described Officer Bullard as a meticulous officer and informal leader.
He joined the department in 1968 after serving in Vietnam. Officer Bullard received 43 commendations over his career, more than any other officer on the force, said Capt. Bob Piccioni.
"He was really very concerned about the community," the captain said. "He took the time to talk to people and get involved in things. He wasn't the kind of guy to just go out there and do everything by the book; he'd take everything into account."
Office Bullard was Mesquite Police Officer of the Year in 1991 and served on organized crime and narcotics task forces.
"He had a lot of intuition, a good feel for the job," Sgt. Jones said.
He also had a very dry sense of humor, the sergeant said.
As an example, he recalled a time when the department used map pins to keep track of burglaries. Another officer noticed that Officer Bullard's district showed far fewer burglaries than others, and asked how he kept his district so free of crime.
"He said, `Well, I've been pulling the pins out,' " Sgt. Jones said.
The Santa Cop program had a modest beginning more than a decade ago, Officer Williams said.
Officer Bullard was concerned about the children he saw on his beat and decided to do something for them, he said.
So one year, he bought some presents, traded his uniform for a Santa Claus suit and paid surprise visits to several families.
"He'd drive away in a police car, and no one would ever know who it was," Officer Williams said.
Somehow, his identity was eventually revealed, and the program grew, he said. Capt. Piccioni called the drive a logistical nightmare, what with coordinating and storing donations, picking out recipients and distributing the gifts.
"We all admired and respected the amount of work he put out on his own time," Sgt. Jones said.
Officer Bullard's death was the second this year to affect the Santa Cop program. Gary Voss, a Mesquite resident who helped run the toy drive, died earlier this year.
Officer Bullard's colleagues were stunned by his death but said they would keep the program going. Phones rang constantly Friday with offers of donations and help, Officer Williams said.
People wishing to donate new toys may drop them off at the police station, 711 N. Galloway Ave. Donations may be mailed to Mesquite Police Santa Cop Program, P.O. Box 850137, Mesquite, Texas 75185-0137.
Officer Bullard, born in Sulphur Springs, is survived by his mother, Virginia Bullard of Dallas; brother and sister-in-law, Timothy and Mary Ann Bullard of Grants Pass, Ore.; grandmothers Ruby Roberts and Franki Bullard; two nephews; a niece; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Grove Hill Funeral Home, 3920 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas.
Services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Urban Park Baptist Church, 6508 Military Parkway in Dallas. Burial will follow in Grove Hill Memorial Park.
Dallas Morning News
November 20, 1993
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