Brown County Law Enforcement officers and agencies were honored at a luncheon hosted by the Brownwood and Early Chambers of Commerce with nearly 250 in attendance. Local businesses sponsored the event and paid for the lunches for all officers attending.
Guest speaker Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge gave a message of encouragement to officers and those in attendance to not get discouraged or jaded by the work they do involving crime. Standridge is a 1989 Brownwood High School Graduate and became the youngest chief in the history of Abilene Police Department in just his 13th year of law enforcement.
“During my tenure, I have overseen 40 murders, 1000 robberies, 2500 aggravated assaults, 2600 crimes involving the abuse of children. I’m tired,” said Standridge who explained that law enforcement deals daily with 10% of the people who commit 90% of the crime. For that reason, law enforcement can become “jaded” and begin to see only the bad things in the community, which can wear on a person’s spirit, resulting in alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, and even suicide.
He encouraged officers to remember their calling, “Remember the nobility of your calling,” and “don’t forget who you work for,” referencing Bible verses Romans 13:1 “all authority is established by God” and Psalms 133 which references people working together in unity for the good of all. Standridge challenged officers to look for the good and noble in the community and work together to accomplish good things for the community.
“You are a professional guardian, not a warrior,” reminded Standridge. “My goal is to always keep my eye on the prize, Matthew 13 tells me I need to partner with the righteous in the community and focus my gaze off of whatever is wrong and find whatever is pure, whatever is noble, and whatever is trustworthy and to focus on these things, not that. If we do that collectively, we are going to have a great community. Despite the 40 murders, the 2500 assaults, I have a lot of righteous people in Abilene, there is a lot of righteousness in Abilene. My message to you is remember why we are doing this, it’s worth it. You are worth it, and our ultimate goal when this whole thing ends, and it will, is ‘Well done my good and faithful servant,’ that is what I want.”
Standridge encouraged officers to remember that they have to think like a football player, put on the uniform, the equipment, and expect full contact, but remember that you are a professional guardian, not a warrior, when you step out into the 10%, you need to have the mindset of a football player, you are going to be hit. “Fix the problem, not the person.”
“I am going to seek out the righteous, partner with the righteous, and bring about some kingdom business, shouldn’t we be about kingdom business?” said Standridge in closing.
Pictured above is Standridge as he addressed the crowd at Friday’s luncheon.
During the luncheon, several agencies made special presentations honoring officers including the following:
Early Police Chief David Mercer named Officer Andre Smoot EPD Officer of the Year. Mercer recounted an incident where Smoot responded to a welfare check with a vehicle that was broken down and another which was trying to tow the vehicle. Through his diligence in collecting the identification of the subjects, led to the arrest of a suspected murderer that Texas Rangers and Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office had been seeking from several weeks prior. Through this identification, Texas Rangers were able to find evidence the pair had dumped in a dumpster in Early which would otherwise have been lost and receive confessions from the subjects. Mercer stated that Smoot “played a vital role in apprehending the murderer and getting him off the streets.”
Heart of Texas Child Advocacy Center presented special artwork to several agencies with childrens’ hand prints, which stated, “When the day is long and the work is hard, you are the difference that saved a child’s life.” Pictured is Mike Isbell of the Bangs Police Department accepting the artwork.
Brown County Republican Women’s Club presented all law enforcement officers in the county with a Shield of Strength to thank them for their protection. These shields resemble military dog tags and have the Bible verse Matthew 5:9 on them, “Blessed are the Peacekeepers for they will be called children of God.” Along with the shields, each officer also received a complementary round of golf from the Brownwood Country Club.
VFW Post Commander James Masters presented Jesse Mares with the Brownwood Police Department Officer of the Year award. Mares was also given a Challenge Coin from BPD Chief Mike Corley and was recognized for his upcoming promotion to Corporal.
Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley presented Officer Jesse Mares and Chief Standridge with BPD Challenge Coins.
Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers honored the Brownwood Police Department, Early Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured are EPD Chief David Mercer and BPD Chief Mike Corley, and Sheriff George Caldwell.
