Joseph James McNulty, 55, of Allen, Texas, died Dec. 19 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Mr. McNulty was born on Oct. 17, 1954, in Jamaica, N.Y. He spent his childhood in Fords, N.J., and Milton.
Following in the footsteps of his father, an FBI agent, he chose a career in law enforcement. After graduating from Bridgewater State College, he relocated to Dallas, where he joined the Dallas Police Department in October 1982.
He started his career in South Dallas, where he worked deep nights. Mr. McNulty moved to the Dallas SWAT division, serving felony drug warrants, responding to barricaded person calls and acting as a negotiator throughout much of the 1980s and early 1990s. He had the honor of serving in dignitary protection for several presidents, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He also protected foreign leaders such as the Dalai Lama during their visits to Dallas.
Due to his passion for Irish heritage and music, he was one of the founding members of the Dallas Police Emerald Society. He also performed with the Dallas Police Choir, traveling to Washington, D.C., and Germany to take part in memorial events. 
Mr. McNulty left SWAT to join the investigative division, beginning his career in Crimes against Persons (CAPERS), then moved into homicide. He was featured for his detective work in the A&E show “The First 48.” He received hundreds of commendations for his service including the Officer of the Year Award from the CAPERS division in 2000.
He lived life to the fullest, enjoying summers in Green Harbor, as well as many days spent with his family on his boat on Texas lakes. Mr. McNulty shared his love of music at family events and with friends. He taught both of his daughters the guitar. With his oldest son, he had spirited debates about politics, which influenced the young man’s choice to pursue a law degree. He never missed a baseball game if his youngest son, a star in select baseball and at John Paul II High School, was playing.
He is survived by his wife, Julie McNulty; his four children, Joseph McNulty, 22, Jamie McNulty, 21, Mandy McNulty, 19, and Jack McNulty, 15; his mother, Rita McNulty; and his five siblings, Edward McNulty of Squantum, Gerry McNulty of Weymouth, Mary Keeler of Milton, Danny McNulty of Madison, Conn., and Rita Taugher of Milton.
He was the son of the late Edward McNulty.
A memorial service will be held Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. in St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Allen, Texas. A reception will follow.