In the Spotlight
Mac Tristan (Coppell Chief of Police)
Mac Tristan was sworn in as Coppell Chief of Police on January 24, 2011. He came to Coppell after serving 29 ½ years with the City of Carrollton Police Department, leaving there as an Assistant Chief.
Chief Tristan believes strongly in Problem Oriented Policing and Servant Leadership. He not only teaches the subject, he has successfully implemented this philosophy in every bureau and department he has led, including the Coppell Police Department. He has worked with the Chinese National Police in Hangzhou, China, has lectured in Stockholm, Sweden with the Swedish National Police and as a speaker at the Stockholm Criminology Symposium. He continues to lecture on Leadership, Problem Oriented Policing, Changing Organizational Cultures and the Servant Leadership style of Management to not only police organizations throughout the country but to private corporations as well
Previous Spotlights
Officer Josh Jackson (Coppell PD)
Officer Jackson has been with Coppell police department for 11 years and in law enforcement for a total of 14 years (2 years in The Colony and 1 year in El Campo).
He enjoys spending family time with his wife and 3 beautiful daughters.
Officer Jackson just might hold the title for being the tallest motor jock around our big state! He stands 6 foot, 6 inches tall without his helmet and boots.
POAF knows the big heart behind Officer Jackson. He is always working to help organizations that reach out to our peace officers and their families. He is a true servant and puts in many volunteer hours to get things done. He is not afraid to tackle whatever gets in the way in order to make sure all decisions are made for the good of those in need.
Thank you Officer Josh Jackson!
Officer Nick Macias (Coppell PD)
Nick is a 9 year veteran of the Coppell Police Department and is assigned to the traffic/motor division.
Nick is a “hometown boy”, graduating in 2001 from Coppell High School. After high school, Nick attended the University of North Texas, where he majored in criminal justice.
Nick serves the department as its EVOC instructor, as an FTO, and as a member of the honor guard.
Nick’s younger brothers are also public servants. His younger brother, Mike, is a firefighter/paramedic for College Station FD; and his youngest brother, Jon, serves as a Texas State Trooper in Odessa, TX.
In June 2016, Nick married the love of his life, Amber. They reside in Rockwall, TX with their two dogs, Jax and Ranger.
POAF is fortunate to have a volunteer like Officer Macias. He has helped the organization in many ways. Fund raising, helping out with social media, and assisting where he is needed the most. He never quits. POAF salutes officer Nick Macias!
Deputy Hunter Van Zandt (Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office)
“Thanks to POAF for taking care of our Officers. This amazing organization fearlessly champions their cause and watches over our protectors with an open heart.”
Deputy Hunter Van Zandt of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office has been in law enforcement since 2003. During his time as a Police Officer, he has worked as a Patrol Officer, Narcotics Investigator, Fugitive Officer and Criminal Investigator. Hunter currently serves in the Judicial Services Division and is also assigned to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. Team. Hunter has been married since 2004 and has two children, ages 3 and 6.
Hunter is proud of his chosen profession and especially his fellow Officers in the DFW area. Hunter believes that, as Officers, we not only have a duty to serve our communities, but each other as well.
POAF is fortunate to have such a stellar deputy working with our organization as we reach out to our critically injured peace officers and their families. Thank you Deputy Van Zandt for your help to fulfill our mission!
Christopher Cook
Lieutenant Cook with Arlington Police Department supports Peace Officers’ Angels Foundation in many ways. He is always ready to assist with our annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. His dedication and his involvement with our POAF video is very much appreciated. We are thankful for his expertise and his unwavering support to our organization.
These are just a few of the things that puts Lieutenant Christopher Cook “In The Spotlight”
Christopher Cook is an award-winning speaker and subject matter expert in the field of social media for law enforcement and media relations for public safety.
As a Lieutenant for the Arlington Police Department, he oversees the public information office and has led the Arlington Police Department’s public and media relations strategies since 2011. Lt. Cook has been interviewed on local, national, and international news networks and programs. Lt Cook began his career in law enforcement in 1995 and has served in a variety of roles and capacities. Speaking and executive training engagements include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Information Officers Association, Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, Texas Crime Prevention Association and the SMILE Conference (SOCIAL MEDIA the INTERNET and LAW ENFORCEMENT).
Lt Cook also teaches agencies how to start a social media presence and critical incident management as it relates to media relations. Lt Cook holds a Master of Arts in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Texas and a Master Peace Officer Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Lt. Cook was a 2012 graduate of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas 67th Leadership Command College. Lt Cook was awarded the 2013 ConnectedCOPS™ Social Media Leadership Award for his distinguished and exemplary leadership in the use of social media to improve public safety and enhance the Arlington Police Department’s community engagement and reputation. Under Lt Cook’s leadership, the department has been awarded the Most Innovative Use of Social Media for three consecutive years (2012, 2013, & 2014) by the Texas Center for Digital Government.
Christopher Cook
Lieutenant
Location: Arlington, Texas
Industry: Law Enforcement
Current: Arlington Police Department
Previous: White Settlement Police Department, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
Education: Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas
Zhi Zhi McDonnell
Zhi Zhi has always been in step with us as we go about sharing POAF information with our communities. Her willingness to always come to our aid is both valuable and exciting for our organization as we know her duties and her service is always in demand. She always finds time to accommodate POAF in any way she can. We rely on Zhi Zhi and Lieutenant Christopher Cook in a big way during our Law Enforcement Appreciation Day as we honor and recognize our critically injured officers and their families in Texas.
Troy Medina
Started working at Arlington Police Department in 1983
Joined the Honor Guard in 1986
Became casket team leader 1999 – Current
Training coordinator 2004 – Current
State Board POMF for Police Memorial – Family Escort 2003 – current
Patrol Officer 1983 -1985
Crime Scene Investigations – 1985 – 1987
Communications Supervisor – 1987 – 1989
Fugitive Unit – 1989 – Current
US Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force 2009 – Current
He started Santa Cops in 1985, and served as coordinator until 2001, current DJ for Annual Santa Cops Christmas Party
AISD school children
Instrumental in blue uniform transition 1987
Married 30 years, father of 3, grandfather of 2
Troy donates ungodly amount of hours to community service. Coaching children’s sports and other community events.
Detective Medina has been a volunteer with POAF for the past 4 years. His dedication and willingness to help us is deeply appreciated!
Help us congratulate Troy Medina, a stellar law enforcement officer with a huge heart and our “IN THE SPOTLIGHT” hero!
Shelly Page-Gill
Shelly has been a trailblazer for Peace Officers’ Angels Foundation. Her experience, knowledge, and education has been valuable for POAF’s foundation. Her volunteer position with other governing board members is admired and respected. On any given day she is juggling a multitude of things. Shelly works hard and her willingness to volunteer her time and efforts to Peace Officers’ Angels Foundation helps move this organization forward.
POAF thanks her for her passion, intellect, insight, and resources that they can count on. Shelly’s cheerful and friendly personality is welcomed by everyone that meets her. Shelly teaches at Tarrant County College and also works part time at Trinity church. She has two sons, Christopher and Jesse.
POAF is very fortunate to have Shelly serving with Peace Officers’ Angels Foundation. Thank you Shelly for all your do for POAF!
Charley Smith
When asked about his goals, Charley says, “My mission statement is to be a positive influence on all who I come in contact with and to glorify God with all He has entrusted to me.” Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; 
they just have the heart. ~Elizabeth Andrew
Denton County Deputy Charley Smith is quite a busy man. He is always brewing up ideas on how to help someone in the community or assisting organizations that are helping others. Last month, Deputy Smith coordinated a benefit for Peace Officers’ Angels Foundation.
The four hour event raised around $1,500 and helped spread the word about POAF and what they are doing to help critically injured peace officers and their families.
Everyone that walked inside On The Border Restaurant in Denton had an opportunity to learn about the importance of assisting our injured Texas law enforcement, and were waited on and served by some local deputies and police officers that happened to be wearing aprons besides
their gun belts this particular evening.
Thanks to all his hard work, and the heartfelt passion Charley has for his law enforcement family, we are proud to shine our light on this fine deputy and salute his giving spirit of volunteering to help injured peace officers and their families.
Deputy Smith has been in Denton pretty much all of his life. He is married, and he enjoys spending time with his family and fiddling around his workshop making new creations.
Deputy Smith spent four years as a juvenile detention officer, five years as a DO1, and five years as a Juvenile Impact Deputy. He has had extensive training in Crime Prevention and dealing with Juvenile offenders. He has been in Community Policing at the Denton County Sheriff’s office for six years. Besides teaching the Juvenile Impact Program, he is instrumental in delivering the Careers in Law Enforcement, and Stay Safe Programs.
One of his personal programs that he enjoys teaching is the Small Choices program. It points out to kids how small choices can have huge effects on their futures.
We shine our special spotlight on Deputy Charley Smith and give a big POAF Salute to this fine law enforcement officer!
Angela Eudy
So is the case with our Angela Eudy, volunteer for Peace Officers’ Angels Foundation. Angela first heard about POAF in July 2013, when we worked at her office during Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Angela works for Alexander Financial, a company that works with retiring police officers and firefighters as well as the surviving spouses of fallen police and fire.Angela was an answer to a call for help. We needed someone to help with several projects and one day she just called and said, “I’m available to help you, what do you need?”
Angela has been around law enforcement all her life. Her uncle was a Corpus Christi, and then Grapevine police officer. Both her grandfathers were Civil Service with the Air Force, and her step-dad was in the Army.
Angela is married to David Eudy, who served in the Marine CORPS, and now working for REMAX-DFW Associates. Angela’s brother in law is a lieutenant with the Dallas Fire Department and both he and Angela’s sister are volunteer firefighters as well as paramedics. She has also worked for companies involved in building law enforcement, military, and civilian aircraft.
She is not afraid of hard work, and challenges. Angela worked non-stop with our Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and POAF is very thankful for her time and efforts and that is why she is IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
“I feel that our police officers and first responders don’t get the recognition they should as well as the support they need when tragedy strikes.’
Donna Kleman
Attended International Conference of Police Chaplains training seminar and spoke to leadership about POAF, asking if the information could be sent out to all law enforcement chaplains in Texas who are ICPC members.
The information was sent and I have received responses from 4 chaplains who are willing to support POAF. A list of chaplains is being established.
Spoke to and sent POAF information to the Department of Public Safety director who oversees chaplains and victim services counselors. The information will be presented as a resource and will be sent out to all chaplains and victim services counselors around Texas.
Learned of Killeen officer shootings and gave POAF information to department chaplain for injured officer. Attended funeral of Killeen officer killed in the line-of-duty and gave several POAF brochures to the chaplain to give to his department administration. The injured officer was present at the funeral.
As I receive calls from chaplains for various reasons have shared POAF information with them. Researched criteria information from Governor’s office and TCOLE for guidance on our applications for assistance
Thank you Chaplain Donna for all the help and support you give to POAF!
Jaime Ayala
About a year ago, I met with Assistant Chief Jaime Ayala in Arlington. Over lunch I shared with him my concern over the number of seriously injured officers and the lack of support that was out there for these men and women protecting and serving our communities in our state. The research I had been doing for several months had been an eye opener for me. We talked about two organizations in place that assisted injured officers but what about the rest of our state?
He believed my passion and work with our families of fallen officers would always be there, but he also recognized that I wanted to do something else to help the injured so they too would not be forgotten. We talked about the Governor’s program, The Star Of Texas Award where our seriously injured were being honored and recognized by the state.
I always admired his big heart and intelligence, so when he looked at me and said, “So, when are you going to start this foundation?”
I knew then I had a direct connection and was personally vested in why this organization needed to exist.
I thank him for his friendship and for always willing to help me out whenever I need his help.
–Maria Barreda-Alvarado, Founder of Peace Officers’ Angels Foundation