Dennis Joseph Storemski

Dennis Storemski enjoyed taking the helm, whether directing family trips or overseeing the sprawling security arrangements required to host the Super Bowl as head of the city’s Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security. A man of deep Catholic faith and quiet confidence, he served his hometown, his church, and his family in a variety of leadership positions over many years.

He was a parishioner and ubiquitous presence at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, where he served as an extraordinary minister and lector, and a board member at the Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center. Professionally, he was a colleague and mentor to generations of Houston’s law enforcement community. In all aspects of life, he valued doing a good job and showing up on time. He was never late for Mass, even if he and his wife had to drive there in separate cars.

Dennis Joseph Storemski, 76, died on Friday, April 14, at his home in Houston with his family at hand. He will be greatly missed by Barbara Storemski, his loving wife of 57 years, and their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and in-laws. His love for and devotion to them was complete.

Born on Houston’s northside on August 20, 1946, Storemski attended Sam Houston High School and graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He served 38 years with the Houston Police Department, rising through the ranks and retiring as Executive Assistant Chief in 2004. He then led Public Safety and Homeland Security for the city of Houston until retirement in 2018. He was board president for the Houston Police Federal Credit Union and served for many years on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Committee on Terrorism.

At HPD, Storemski developed and oversaw numerous programs, including the Special Response Group, Command Center and Mounted Patrol Detail. He was instrumental in expanding the SWAT and Hostage Negotiation Teams and championed HPD’s role in the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He coordinated the planning and execution of security operations for many of Houston’s major events, from the 1990 Economic Summit of Industrial Nations and the 1992 Republican National Convention to a World Energy Congress, an MLB All-Star Game, and Super Bowls XXXVIII and LI.

With Public Safety and Homeland Security, he managed the city’s emergency preparedness and response through Hurricanes Ike and Harvey and other catastrophic events. He led the office’s development of the “run, hide, fight” active shooter response program that is used by local, state, and federal law enforcement and in corporate active shooting training and response.

Dennis was a rock-steady presence for his family as well. Decades ago, he bought a camper and took Barbara and their four children on trips across Texas, Colorado, and other states. He was an avid reader of biographies and military history, and he made sure to include historical sites on his itineraries. On a family trip to Italy, for his daughter’s wedding, Dennis is fondly recalled for leading his offspring in a caravan of rented cars around Rome, determined to show them the city.

Throughout his life, Dennis found strength in Christ. In 2007, he and Barbara were honored to visit the Vatican as part of a local contingent celebrating the elevation of Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Dennis Storemski was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Felix Storemski, brother Leon Storemski and nephew Michael Storemski.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law Gary and Susan Storemski of Houston and their children, Lilli and Kyle Storemski; Craig and Annette Storemski of Katy and their children, Jacob and Noah Storemski; James and Gina Storemski of Spring and their children, Joseph, Isabella and Xavier Storemski; and daughter and son-in-law Jennifer Storemski and Nathaniel Hobbs of Coverack, England, and their children, Ada and Ezra Hobbs. He is also survived by his brother Wilbert and wife, Joan Storemski in Missouri City; sister-in-law Margaret Storemski in Kingwood; and many nieces, nephews and other in-laws.

A visitation for Dennis will be held Thursday, April 20, 6 to 9pm at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 19222 Texas-249, Houston, Texas 77070. The Rosary will be recited at 7pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 21 at 10 am. The Rite of Committal will follow in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center.

https://holynameretreatcenter.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/254/responses/new

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