Lieutenant Melissa Franks is a 19-year veteran of the DeSoto Police Department. In 2022, she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Texas A&M Commerce. In 2024, she graduated with a masters degree in Dispute Resolution from Southern Methodist University. She is a mental health peace officer (MHPO), holds a Master’s Peace Officer license and is a police instructor specializing in Crisis Intervention Training and De-escalation. She served as a crisis/hostage negotiator for over 16 years for the area’s SWAT group. She is also the first woman of color to promote to supervisor and the first woman to achieve the rank of Lieutenant in the history of the DeSoto Police Department.

As the founder of the Regional CARE Team, she wants to help stop the revolving door of over-utilization of 9-1-1 and emergency hospitalization associated with mental health. She loves bringing her skills of negotiation, mediation, and crisis intervention and her knowledge of the criminal justice system to the team effort to engage people with behavioral health needs and their families. In her free time, Lt. Franks enjoys crafting, crocheting, and watching movies with her family.

Officer Jacob Rawlins is an 10-year veteran of the Cedar Hill Police Department. He is a mental health peace officer (MHPO), holds an Advanced Peace Officer Certification, is Field Training Officer and a member of the Cedar Hill Honor Guard.

Officer Rawlins joined the Regional CARE Team believing there was more that can be done for families and individuals who experience mental illness. During his eight years of experience, he has noticed a lack of information for these individuals and their families. He is excited to bring his knowledge, training, and experience to the CARE Team and the citizens. In his free time, Officer Rawlins enjoys landscaping, wood working, and the outdoors with his family.

Officer Carolyn Williams is a police officer with the DeSoto Police Department. A veteran officer of 22 years, Officer Williams worked as a patrol officer for 18 years before volunteering to come to the Regional CARE Team. Additionally, she held the position of FTO (Field Training Officer) for 9 years where she assisted the DeSoto PD by training and mentoring new police recruits. She holds a Master Peace Officer license and is certified as a Mental Health Peace Officer.

Officer Williams earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and traveling.

Yulanda King is the Victims Assistance Coordinator on the Regional CARE Team, serving victims of the City of DeSoto. Her career started in east Texas working within the court system. From there, she went to work for Harris County in the Justice of Peace office and later in the Public Defender’s Office as a case manager and mental health coordinator. After acquiring extensive experience in working with offenders within the criminal justice system, she sought to expand her expertise by working with the other side – victims of violent crime.

She finds working with victims, and particularly, domestic violence victims to be challenging and worthwhile. While she knows that she cannot necessarily change the situations of individuals, she wants to help them understand that there can be a better way of thinking about and handling their circumstances. In doing so, she hopes to empower victims to become future advocates for others in similar situations.

Yulanda has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Public Administration/Public Service, and a Master’s in Education/Counseling and Development. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with family and friends.

Officer Ambrosio Hernandez graduated from Duncanville High School in 2012, served four years in the United States Marine Corps, and completed approximately two years of college credits

He has been a Police Officer for approximately four years. After serving in the Marine Corps, he wanted to continue serving his community. He was raised in Duncanville and is glad he can provide such a helpful service to the community. Officer Hernandez grew a passion for mental health while on patrol and is honored to be a part of the Regional CARE Team.

He enjoys watching sports, football, basketball, and baseball as well as participating in them. In his free time, he enjoys running and weightlifting. Officer Hernandez’s greatest pleasure is spending time with his family and participating in community outreach programs with Duncanville Police Department.

Kimberly Bonner is the Licensed Social Services Provider on the Regional CARE Team serving the cities of Desoto, Cedar Hill, and Duncanville. Kimberly holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman’s University. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a passion for advocating for vulnerable populations, implementing organizational improvements, spearheading community projects, and making a difference in the lives of others.

Kimberly’s leadership style is characterized by servant leadership, employing a holistic approach to human issues with empathy and understanding to enhance the community’s well-being. She has a deep connection to the Best Southwest area, having graduated from Duncanville High School.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Kimberly values spending quality time with her husband and four children, attending their various activities, and creating lasting family memories.

Gary McGough works for the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) and has spent the past six years working with inmates at Dallas County Jail, attempting to the quell the rampant recidivism among the unhoused population within the prison and assisting with competency restoration for defendants whose mental health requires additional support while navigating the courts. Gary also has a background in working on the Rapid Assessment and Prevention team (RAP) for Metrocare Services, where he was passionate about educating high utilizers of behavioral health services in how to access community-based resources for non-emergent needs.

Gary graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.  He was formerly certified as a police officer, a parole officer, and a teacher. He participated in beta testing of the RIGHT Care Team with Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire and Rescue.  He takes great pride in helping individuals whose behavioral health needs, whether due to diagnosis, social stigma, or inimical personalities, are chronically underserved.

Gary joined the Regional CARE Team because he understands the desperate need for follow up services and resources in that critical period after an incident or episode and wants to champion the diversion of behavioral health needs away from law enforcement.  Gary was quickly adopted by the Regional CARE family, who values his skills, rapport building, and resource knowledge.  He shares the stated goals of the Team and was happy to once again be “meeting people where they live.”  In his free time, Gary likes to write, and has completed three novels and countless short stories.