Incident
Detention Officer Bobby Pace was participating in a training exercise at the Decker Detention Center when he collapsed and died of a heart attack.
The Bill Decker Detention Center was closed in 2009, following the opening of the Suzanne Lee Kays Detention Facility (or the South Tower) at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center.
Officer Pace had served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department for 10 years.
He is buried in the Little Bethel Memorial Park in Duncanville.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three daughters, two stepsons, his mother, a sister, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detention Officer Pace gave the Dallas County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Pace.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has lost 20 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
Bobby is one of 88 officers lost to cardiac events in TX, 3.6% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Bobby is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bobby is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 4 officers in TX were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1998, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1998, 18 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 18th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Bobby was 58. Of the 84 lost to cardiac events in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 57; the middle age was 50. Bobby had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Bobby was 58. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Bobby had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Bobby was 58. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Bobby had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 12.5% of these deaths in TX; October holds the most, 12.5%. Thursdays: 21.6%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 15% of all 20 deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.6% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has 20 officers remembered here, Bobby among them.
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James McMahan Jan 16, 1871
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Charles H. Nichols
Jan 20, 1871
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George V. Vise Jun 5, 1878
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Addison C. Pate
Sep 9, 1895
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Thomas I. Woods
Dec 21, 1922
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Willis Glover Champion
Sep 26, 1923
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James C. Wright Sep 28, 1924
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Thomas L. Noell
May 31, 1928
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James Willis Fuller
Jun 13, 1932
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Cecil Vincent Chapman
Sep 9, 1934
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Kassie Mae Chandler
Dec 16, 1948
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James Weldon Hill
Nov 9, 1964
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E. R. Walthers
Jan 10, 1969
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Samuel Garcia Infante, Jr.
Feb 15, 1971
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William Don Reese
Feb 15, 1971
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Esteban Velasquez, Jr.
Feb 24, 1980
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Ray Edward Kovar
Jun 20, 1982
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Suzanne Lee Kays
Jan 4, 1989
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James Robert Allman
Aug 5, 1995
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Bobby Eugene Pace
Sep 24, 1998
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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