Fred Joe Pyland
HPD

For six years, Christmases have been merrier and holidays happier for children in Houston, because Officer Pyland has coordinated HPD’s Blue Santa program.

For six years, Christmases have been merrier and holidays happier for children in Houston, because Officer Pyland has coordinated HPD’s Blue Santa program. New bicycles and other toys find their way under hundreds of trees because of Officer Pyland and his big band of elves.

As a community services liaison for HPD, Officer Pyland motivates
and encourages both the professionals behind the badge and the citizens in Houston neighborhoods to make the city safer. He coordinates career days, health fairs, police station tours and crime prevention presentations that leave people with a clearer understanding of HPD’s service.

Employees in HPD represent our city in sports competitions all over the state and the nation. Officer Pyland founded the Houston Gunners football team, serves as president of the Texas Police Olympic Games and coordinates the Guns and Hoses boxing competition with the fire department. During the past 10 years, Guns and Hoses has raised more than $200,000 for charities.

Officer Pyland is also athletic. He ran on Houston streets carrying the official Olympic torch on its journey to the Atlanta summer games in ’96 and the Salt Lake winter games in 2002. He also finds time to coach in the Southbelt Beverly Hills Little League and to serve the Assist the Officer Foundation and the Native Americans Chamber of Commerce.

For his dedication to happier holidays, a healthier Houston, and athletic excellence, we present Fred Joe Pyland with the Bravo Award.