Irving Police Detective Stephen Herring Earns Third Major Award of 2026, Honored by Irving NAACP
IRVING, Texas — Irving Police Detective Stephen Herring has earned his third major award of 2026 after receiving the Shannon Phillips Excellence in Law Enforcement Award from the Irving branch of the NAACP.
The recognition adds to an impressive year for Herring, who was also honored nationally for excellence in homicide investigations and named the Irving Police Department's Officer of the Year.
The Irving Police Department congratulated Herring on his latest achievement, praising his dedication, professionalism and commitment to serving the Irving community.
Third Major Recognition for Detective Herring in 2026
Herring's latest award follows two other significant honors earlier this year.
On August 12, 2026, Herring received the International Homicide Investigators Association Award for Excellence during an event in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Earlier in 2026, Herring was also named Officer of the Year during the Irving Police Department's 30th Annual Blue Tie Banquet.
The Shannon Phillips Excellence in Law Enforcement Award marks his third major recognition of the year, highlighting his accomplishments both within the Irving Police Department and among law enforcement professionals nationally.
Irving Police Chief Derick Miller Praises Herring
Irving Police Chief Derick Miller congratulated Herring on receiving the NAACP award and praised his dedication to the department and community.
"He is an outstanding detective whose dedication and professionalism make me proud to serve as his chief. This recognition is well deserved," Miller said.
Miller also expressed appreciation for the relationship between the Irving Police Department and the local NAACP branch.
"I'm also proud of the strong relationship we share with the Irving NAACP. That partnership reflects mutual respect, honest communication, and a shared commitment to serving our community," Miller said. "Thank you for recognizing Detective Herring and the meaningful work of our officers."
Irving NAACP Recognizes Excellence in Law Enforcement
The Excellence in Law Enforcement Award presented by local NAACP branches recognizes law enforcement officers and public safety personnel who demonstrate dedication to fair, equitable and community-oriented policing.
The award honors officers who maintain high ethical standards, contribute to public safety and work to strengthen trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Recognition criteria include exceptional service in crime prevention, community outreach, civil rights protections, de-escalation and efforts to build positive relationships with diverse communities.
Award Named After Irving NAACP Treasurer Shannon Phillips
The Irving NAACP branch is led by President Tony Grimes.
According to Grimes, the award is named after Shannon Phillips, who serves as treasurer of the Irving NAACP branch.
The recognition reflects the organization's commitment to acknowledging law enforcement professionals who demonstrate excellence in their work and service to the community.
For Detective Stephen Herring, the award adds to a remarkable year that has brought recognition from his own department, a national homicide investigators association and a local civil rights organization.
