David Lindsay Carter

University of Texas Vice President for Campus Security and Chief of Police, David Lindsay Carter of Austin, Texas passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer on Friday, April 22, 2022 at the age of 64.

David was born on October 20, 1957 in Fort Worth, Texas. Although his parents separated when he was only four years old, both of them had a profound impact on his life. His mother Anne Lindsay showed him the value of grace and forward thinking. His father Harris George instilled in him honor and integrity. Through example, his father showed him the importance of loving life and making the most of it. David enjoyed telling stories of his childhood experiences with his father. Every summer, his father would drive his 1961 Ford Falcon from Fort Worth, Texas to Berkeley California where David and his mother lived. He and David would then drive on the roads less traveled until they reached the family ranch in San Angelo, Texas. He would spend his summers with his grandparents and cousins, going to western movies at the drive-in theater, riding ponies on the ranch pretending to be cowboys, playing card games and listening to his father’s greatly entertaining stories and favorite poetry. For his father’s eulogy, David wrote, “I want you to know, and fear not, as Sir Walter Scott exclaimed…you were indeed wept for, honored and praises sung…you are safe in your native land,…Godspeed until we all meet again.”

David earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1981. He is a graduate of the FBI’s premier executive training course, National Executive Institute (NEI) class XXXV. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) in Boston as well as the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), and completed the first Austin Police West Point Leadership Academy which was a joint effort between APD and The University of Texas.

David started his law enforcement career at the Bryan Police Department in 1983. In 1985, David joined APD, where he would serve 28 years, retiring as Chief of Staff. During his 38 years of law enforcement, David earned awards of distinction including the Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, the Distinguished Commander’s Medal and the Life-Saving Medal for providing emergency intervention to a choking toddler, and three meritorious service medals. He was also awarded combat spurs by the US Army 1st Cavalry Division, in recognition of being engaged by enemy insurgents while in Iraq. While with APD, David held positions of Hostage Negotiator, SWAT Officer, SWAT Commander, Homicide Detective and International Affairs investigator. He initiated, developed and implemented the Austin Regional Intelligence Center, one of 78 nationally recognized fusion centers. He launched a revised data analytics process focusing on increasing effectiveness, efficiency and crime reduction results. He oversaw the development of the city and regional security response for the 2012 Inaugural Formula One race. By the time he retired from APD as Chief of Staff, David led a staff of 2,300 employees and managed a $301 million annual budget.

David was sworn in as Chief of Police for The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) in 2013. He was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Campus Security in 2018 and worked to enhance relationships on security matters with university community members, students, families and the City of Austin. During his time with UTPD, David worked to transform the department into a national model not only for university policing but also for municipal departments to follow. In 2019, David broke away from the traditional mold of policing through a single, dedicated patrol division and restructured UTPD to include three focused divisions known a Police Technical Specialty Groups, with separate but complementary missions. David established a new intelligence-led policing strategy by hiring a full-time crime analyst to represent the university in the Austin Regional Intelligence Center, a center that David created while second in command at the Austin Police Department (APD). He also aided in budget and policing proposal planning for the university’s Dell Seton Medical Center.

David was a very devoted husband and father. He loved going on vacations with his wife and daughter, and spending time at his family’s ranch in San Angelo. He enjoyed meteorology and making sure everyone was safe during inclement weather. He enjoyed reading, especially about Roman history, and he dearly loved his family dogs.

David is preceded in death by his mother Anne Lindsay; his father Harris George Carter Jr.; his grandparents Harris George Carter Sr. and Beulah Carter, Robert Opie Lindsay and Anne Bryan Lindsay.

David is survived by his loving wife Cynthia Carter of nearly 30 years; his darling daughter Sarah Carter whom he cherished very dearly; his stepmother Gloria Carter; his sisters Aimee Reason and husband Eddie Reason, Audrey McAtee and husband Timothy McAtee; his aunts Suzanne Hahn and Muriel Lindsay, and by his loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of longtime friends.

A visitation for David will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2022 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Rd, Austin, TX 78703. A graveside service will occur Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749.

Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crost the bar.

-Godspeed David, Godspeed!

Contributions in David's memory may be made to National Police Dog Foundation, https://www.nationalpolicedogfoundation.org/donations; Doctors Without Borders, https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate; and Austin Cops 4 Charities, http://www.austinc4c.com/join.shtml.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com for the Carter family.