Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux and Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Justin Ball Sworn-In During Joint Ceremony

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux and Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Justin Ball were officially sworn into office during a ceremony on May 5, 2025.

The joint swearing-in took place at Concord Baptist Church in Dallas, drawing a crowd of hundreds.

City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Mayor Eric L. Johnson, Councilmember and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Cara Mendelsohn delivered remarks to commemorate this historic occasion.

Comeaux is a 33-year law enforcement veteran, previously serving as Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Division, overseeing 12 offices throughout Texas, including Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. His leadership has focused on intelligence-driven crime reduction, operational efficiency, interagency collaboration, and officer development.  

A native of New Orleans, he began his career in 1991 with the Houston Police Department (HPD), he specialized in community policing, narcotics enforcement, and high-risk investigations. In 1997, he transitioned to the DEA, where he led major operations in Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, targeting violent crime and drug trafficking. His strategies have resulted in significant crime reduction, including a 40% decrease in overdose deaths in Laredo, Texas.

As Dallas’ 18th Fire Chief, Ball will oversee a $430 million budget and lead roughly 2200 men and women who serve the public responding to fire and emergency medical services. He joined DFR in 1997 and has advanced through every rank—from firefighter paramedic to Field Deputy Chief, Executive Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and ultimately Executive Assistant Chief of Operations. 

In June, Chief Ball assumed the role of Interim Fire Chief after Chief Dominique Artis was named the City’s first Chief of Public Safety.  

Chief Ball has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Texas A&M and maintains certifications as a Master Firefighter, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor II, Incident Commander, and Incident Safety Officer. 

Originally from northeast England, he has called the Dallas area home for more than 30 years and considers DFR his extended family. 

Link to watch the ceremony: Dallas Police and Fire Chief Joint Swearing-In Ceremony