Brownwood Police Department offered well wishes to longtime officer Corporal Kenyon Black as his retirement was celebrated Wednesday afternoon at the Brown County Law Enforcement Center.
Black joined BPD July 1, 1999 working 13.5 years during two stents of employment before retiring on October 31, 2012. The celebration was delayed due to medical issues according to Black and officials at BPD.
As thanks for his years of service and dedication to the force, Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley presented Black with a flag that was flown over the State Capital on October 31, 2012 in recognition of Black’s retirement, a letter of recognition from Governor Rick Perry and a commemorative retirement clock from the City of Brownwood. Ray Slayton, President of the Brownwood Municipal Police Association presented him with a shadow box of mementos of Black’s career. Slayton expressed his appreciation of Black’s service.
“Kenyon played a big part of the Meet and Confer agreement,” said Slayton.
Sergeant Mitch Slaymaker said that without his participation in the negotiations, it may not have turned out as well for the officers.“Without Kenyon, I can say, there would be no way we could have landed our contract,” said Slaymaker. “For what you did for this department and association, I thank you.”
Sergeant Troy Carroll stated that he hated to see Black leave and that he wished he would stay another ten years until they both had 30 years of law enforcement.
“I appreciate all the years working with you. You took care of the corporals when it got rough and I had to be away,” said Carroll. I appreciate everything you did for me and the shift and I sincerely appreciate working with you.”
Assistant Chief James Fuller also gave credit to Black’s law enforcement career.
“He’s going to work in the civilian world. It’s going to be very interesting, whatever his body will allow him to do, he’ll do well,” said Fuller. “Finding happiness in his job, he is going to do very well. There are plenty of things he can do as long as he maintains a certain level of law enforcement.”
Black has not decided what path to take in retirement; however, he and his fiancée Kate Teston of Early plan to stay in the area. She is a teacher at Early ISD and will stay near family and friends in the area.
Black worked as an officer in the Runnels County Sheriff’s Office, the Coleman Police Department in addition to his service to the City of Brownwood.
Pictured above Ray Slayton (left) presents Black with the shadowbox from BMPA.
