Lupe Valdez

Lupe Valdez was elected Sheriff of Dallas County, Texas on November 4, 2004. She took the rank of the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the County of Dallas on January 1, 2005. Sheriff Valdez is one of a few female sheriffs in the State of Texas. Sheriff Valdez has been in Law Enforcement for more than 30 years both Federal and State. On November 4, 2008, she was re-elected to serve another four years.

Prior to becoming Sheriff, Lupe worked to protect the lives and property of American Citizens at home and abroad in homeland security, antiterrorism investigations, criminal law enforcement. She has been featured in several books by well-known authors.

As a young child, Lupe learned strong work ethics. She put herself through college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Bethany Nazarene College now Southern Nazarene University sometimes working up to two jobs. By developing sterling work habits, she propelled her career in law enforcement. She demonstrated her commitment to constant improvement and education by earning a Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington.

While Sheriff, she has worked diligently to address deep structural problems that developed over the preceding 20 years. Understaffed, overpopulated, medically deprived and conditions that were unsanitary. In the past seven years, with the partnering of Parkland Hospital, Dallas County Constables, County Probation Office and the District Attorney’s Office, she has succeeded in accomplishing :

  • Hiring 400 new detention service officers
  • Expanding the highway patrol system
  • South Tower jail facility
  • Improved the quality of healthcare for the mentally ill inmates
  • Located probation absconders, thus removing the most wanted and dangerous individuals from the neighborhoods

Lupe’s commitment to public service continues by having served as member of:

  • DISD Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program
  • Women in Federal Law Enforcement Association
  • Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas
  • North Texas Crime Commission
  • North Texas Police Chief’s Association
  • Texas Jail Association
  • National Sheriff’s Association
  • Narcotics Officer’s Association
  • Texas Sheriff’s Association
  • Irving Women’s Network
  • Sheriff’s Association of Texas Legislative Committee
  • Homeland Security Advisory Council Task Force on ICE Secure Communities
  • Sheriff’s Association of Texas Vice Chairman TCLEOSE Advisory Committee
  • Jail Advisory Committee
  • Others
  • Women’s Leadership Exchange – Compass Award
  • Citigroup – Women Changing American Award
  • Dallas Morning News – Distinguished Women Lecture Series
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sority (Dallas Chapter) Political Awareness & Involvement
  • Haggar Clothing – Women in Diversity
  • 2005 Outstanding – Hispanic Women of America
  • Texas NAACP Award
  • 2005 Women Leaders of America
  • 2005 Hispanic Leaders of America
  • WCA 2007 Woman of the Year
  • 2007 Elected Official of the Year – National Association of Social Worker’s
  • Girls Inc., “She Knows Where She’s Going Award”
  • SMU Profiles in Leadership Award
  • Best Elected Official – Dallas Voice – LGBT Newspaper
  • 2007 Woman of the Year – Women Communities Association
  • 2005 – Voice & Visibility Award – National Center for Lesbian Rights
  • 2006 Grand Marshall – Texas Gay Rodeo Association
  • 2009 Grand Marshall – Dallas Pride Parade

Have been featured in more than seven books including a text book