Dr. Demetrick "Tre" Pennie

Dr. Demetrick "Tre" Pennie, professionally known as Sergeant Pennie, is a nationally recognized law enforcement advocate, U.S. Army veteran, former Dallas Police sergeant, and congressional candidate. He founded the National Fallen Officer Foundation, a nonprofit supporting families of officers killed in the line of duty.

Raised in the inner-city community of Acres Homes in Houston, Pennie was deeply affected by the violent death of his cousin, Jacqueline Smith, which led him to pursue a career in law enforcement. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1995–1999, he joined the Dallas Police Department, serving 22 years.

Pennie holds degrees in criminal justice, counseling, and higher education, including a doctorate from Texas Tech University. His dissertation addressed campus safety amid rising mass shootings, including threats from online radicalization.

While on the police force, Pennie taught college courses in criminal justice and public safety. He also led the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation before founding the Texas and National Fallen Officer Foundations to broaden his mission. He has published articles and opinion pieces on terrorism, public safety, and police-community relations—frequently cited in legislative and academic discussions.

In 2016, Pennie sued Black Lives Matter and public figures including Obama and Soros, alleging incitement of violence against police. In 2017, he sued social media giants, arguing they enabled terrorist radicalization. While controversial, both lawsuits drew national attention to officer safety and online extremism.

Pennie testified before the U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees, highlighting risks to officers and opposing the Defund the Police movement. His 2022 testimony addressed the $2 billion in damages and injuries resulting from protests following the death of George Floyd. He also co-authored an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case Gonzalez v. Twitter, focusing on tech accountability for extremist content.

In 2020, Pennie ran for Congress in Texas’ 30th District and again in 2023 in the 3rd District. Though unsuccessful, his campaigns expanded his platform for public safety reform. He was later appointed to the Texas Lottery Commission’s Charitable Bingo Advisory Board, where he supports nonprofit oversight and regulatory reform.