Rockwall, Rowlett name chiefs of police
Aug. 5—The cities of Rockwall and Rowlett have added new chiefs of police this week.
Rockwall City Manager Mary Smith named Edward Fowler as interim chief of the Rockwall Police Department. Former Police Chief Max Geron retired from the position as of July 31.
Fowler began his law enforcement career with the Rockwall PD in 1990, serving in a number of leadership roles over the years, most recently as assistant police chief since 2020.
Fowler started as a patrol officer and field-training officer. He later became a motorcycle officer and accident reconstructionist. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2002, supervising the patrol, community services, criminal investigations and SWAT divisions. In 2010, he was promoted to lieutenant, where he served as a division commander in patrol, administrative services, criminal investigation, and SWAT. In 2017, he became captain, and in 2020 he became assistant chief.
Fowler earned a bachelor's of business administration in operations management from East Texas State University, and an MBA in management from Texas A&M-Commerce. He holds a Master Peace Officer's certification and is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy as well as the Police Executive Research Forum.
A former Marine, Fowler is a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He deployed with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force and participated in the invasion of Kuwait. He and his wife, Julie, married 18 years, are parents to Jillian, Kaitlyn, and Christopher. Fowler has been an assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts for many years.
The City of Rowlett has named Michael Denning as chief of police. A seasoned law enforcement professional with over 23 years of experience, including more than 10 years in supervisory, management, and command positions, Denning comes to Rowlett from Henderson, Nevada, where he most recently served as deputy police chief. Henderson is the second largest city in Nevada with a population of over 350,000 residents and a police department with 480 sworn officers and 220 professional staff employees.
"Michael is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of accomplishments," said City Manager Brian Funderburk. "His experience working with a broad range of stakeholders to provide exemplary public safety services will serve the Rowlett community well."
Denning is an innovative police leader with a clear understanding of policing diverse communities in the 21st century and addressing the challenges of policing in a rapidly growing community. He holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police.
Additionally, Denning is currently pursuing a master's degree in Organizational Leadership at National University. During his 23 years of law enforcement experience he has advanced through the ranks, serving in and providing supervisory oversight for many divisions including the investigations division, operational support division (SWAT, K9, and traffic), training and community division (police academy, in-service training, recruitment and backgrounds, and community relations), 911 dispatch center, criminalistics laboratory, police records, and animal control and services. He also served as a patrol commander, training and academy commander, SWAT/CNT, and K9 unit ommander.
"I am honored to serve the Rowlett community and the men and women of the Rowlett Police Department," said Denning. "I look forward to engaging a wide variety of stakeholders and working collaboratively with the department to implement nationally recognized best practices, reduce the crime rate, and enhance the safety and quality of life for our residents and visitors."
