Law Enforcement officials said goodbye Wednesday to Brownwood Animal Control Officer Nick Ferguson who will be taking a job with the State Department of Health’s Zoonosis Department.
Ferguson who has 9 years with the Brownwood Police Department as an animal control officer will be taking a position in Abilene that deals with diseases that are communicable between animals and humans. His region will still cover Brown County as well as some other counties, and he will continue to live in the Brownwood area.Officers and staff of both BPD and Brown County Sheriff’s Office held a reception for Ferguson to say thanks for the years of service he has given the area, not just the City of Brownwood.
“We are gathering to say congratulations, not goodbye,” said BPD Assistant Chief James Fuller. “Nick is a great asset to whoever has him and he is really going to be missed here. It’s just amazing; he is going to be missed, his easy going compassion for animals and his joy of people. Even if he has to shoot an animal, he is just Nick, he is just throughout calm.”
Fuller presented Ferguson with a shadow box with patches and badges from his work with the City of Brownwood and the Police Department (pictured above).
“What we were able to do for Nick since we really don’t want him to leave, but since he is going to be leaving, we are going to make sure he still has his badge,” said Fuller. “That way when he gets tired of all the travels he is about to do for the state, he can just put back on the badge and come back.”
Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs also spoke of how his office appreciated Ferguson’s service as well.
“Really ever since I have been here, Nick has been a big help to us both personally and professionally. We want to make sure you know we wish you the best where you are going,” Grubbs said.
Sheriff Grubbs presented a certificate of appreciation to Ferguson and read its inscription:
“To express our high appreciation for the work of Mr. Ferguson: Mr. Ferguson has always been willing to go the extra mile to assist the Sheriff’s office. He knows his job well and works courteously and promptly with our officers and the public which he serves. He has been an exceptional asset and has represented the City of Brownwood very well in his ability to perform his duties.”
Friends and coworkers enjoyed telling stories of adventures Ferguson has had capturing animals from dogs to cobras and enjoyed a cake decorated with a photo of Ferguson next to his animal control vehicle.
Of his time with Brownwood, Ferguson stated that he will miss his coworkers and didn’t yet know what to expect in his new position.
“I’ve been here for over nine years, I don’t know what it will be like working somewhere else, and I don’t know what it’ll be like to get up and have to pick out what to wear every day. Every day it’s been blue on blue and out the door,” joked Ferguson. “I love and appreciate all of you and that’s going to be the hardest part.”
Someone in the crowd joked about the cobra that was recently caught by Ferguson.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m going to miss you all,” said Ferguson. “It’s been lots of crazy things recently.”
Sheriff Grubbs presents certificate of appreciation to Ferguson.
Shadow box of badges and patches presented to Ferguson by Brownwood Police Department.
