Dallas County names public defenders mental health division for Vicki Rice after unanimous resolution

Dallas County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 unanimously adopted a resolution honoring Vicki Moore Rice, a longtime leader in the Dallas County Public Defender—s Office, and ordered that the office—s mental health division be named the Vicki Rice Mental Health Division. The court read the resolution into the record and voted, with the motion carrying unanimously. "Vicki was a force of nature," said Lynn Richardson, who traveled with county delegates to Rice—s memorial service, describing Rice—s combination of legal skill and compassion. The resolution, introduced and moved by Commissioner John Wiley Price, traces Rice—s public-defender career from 2002, details roles she heldincluding chief of the mental health divisionand cites her work on specialty courts, the Dallas County Mental Health Steering Committee and other interagency behavioral-health initiatives. Several public-defender colleagues and family members addressed the court during the resolution presentation. Christopher Rice, Vicki Rice—s husband, told the court his wife believed in redemption and faithful service to clients, and described her career as an earned American dream. Colleagues said Rice continued to work on cases and supervise staff while ill. The court also noted Rice—s contributions to coordinated county efforts on mental health in the criminal justice system and recognized the resolution as both a tribute and a continuing institutional commitment. The motion to rename the division passed without dissent; minutes show the vote recorded as unanimous. The court—s action is commemorative and administrative; no budgetary appropriation or personnel change was attached to the resolution on its face.