Major Roberto Arredondo enjoys a Fletcher’s corny dog

Are you the generous donor who partnered with Fletcher’s to have delicious corny dogs delivered to the Dallas Police Department’s Northeast Division? You should know there are some hardworking officers sending gratitude your way.

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

Amber Fletcher, part of the third generation of Dallas’ venerated corny dog family, arrived Tuesday with the Fletcher’s food truck and enough mustard for every officer arriving and departing the station house. At the State Fair of Texas, where Fletcher’s Corny Dogs debuted in 1942, her family makes sure every officer eats free.

“My cousin’s a police officer, and that’s just what my dad wanted,” she said. “The law enforcement presence at the fair is what keeps us safe. People come out with their family and have a good time, so we just wanted to show gratitude and give officers something good to eat.”

Major Robert Arredondo, who recently took command of the station at Audelia and Northwest Highway, said Lake Highlands is impressive in their backing of The Blue.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “I’ve been around the department a long time, and the northeast seems to have outstanding support. We’re very appreciative, and we’re excited to partner with the community and our stakeholders.”

Arredondo knows his officers face the danger of contracting COVID-19 with every person they encounter. Eight DPD employees have become ill so far, including Senior Corporal Allison Brockford, who returned to work at the Northeast Division Monday.

“It’s something that weighs on us as commanders,” he told me. “We ask our officers to go out there and be professionals – to continue to put their lives on the line and do their jobs. It’s important that we continue our efforts to keep the community safe, but that doesn’t mean we’re not worried. Most of us have families and kids at home, and the last thing we want to do is bring this illness into the household. But we swore to an oath, and we take that very seriously.”

DPD Major Catrina Shead agreed.

“In these uncertain times, it’s very important for first responders to feel this support – on a large scale and a small scale. You’d never know it and the officers would never say it, but it makes a big impact when people stop and say thank you. These are the things they talk about – somebody bought me some food or brought me some cookies. These things bring some light when times are dim.”

If your family or organization has a plan for delivering goodies to the DPD, consider sometime after 9 p.m. when others are less likely to contribute. You may call the station to coordinate your project at 214-670-4415.

Major Catrina Shead