Brownwood News – The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual law enforcement appreciation luncheon on Friday, May 19th at the Coggin Avenue Baptist Church Connection Center (1715 Coggin Ave) beginning at 11:30 a.m. The event was intended to honor the men and women in all aspects of law enforcement, who work together to keep the community safe.

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Representatives from area law enforcement agencies were in attendance and recognized, including representatives from the Adult Probation Office, the Bangs Police Department, The Brown County Constables, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, the 35th District Court, Brownwood Lake Patrol, the Early Police Department, Howard Payne University’s Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Brownwood Police Department, Justice of the Peace, Brown County Judge Ray West, Brownwood Fire Marshall Buddy Preston, the District Attorney’s Office, Office of the Inspector General from the State School, as well as retired law enforcement officers and the spouses of law enforcement agents.

Awards were presented to members of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and the Brownwood Police Department’s Officer of the Year.

Brown County Sheriff Vance Hill recognized four ‘non sworn personnel’ for their work within the department on a daily basis.

“There’s four people within the Brown County Sheriff’s Department that without them, we would be absolutely dysfunctional,” said Sheriff Hill as he began his presentation. The sheriff called for Patty Mobley, Shauna Karnes, Rick Cottrell, and Amanda Deeds (who was unavailable during the luncheon).

Next to present an award was Brownwood Police Chief Terry Nichols, who awarded Officer of the Year to Kris Salazar. Chief Nichols spoke of Salazar’s professionalism and dedication to his job, noting the officer had over 1,500 traffic stops last year and is well known for having a passion to stop drivers who are intoxicated and a danger to the community.

Chief Nichols and Sergeant Troy Carroll both presented a special resolution to Clara Robbins, the widow of former Brownwood Chief of Police Joe Robbins. The resolution was from Senator Dawn Buckingham, praising Robbins for his service.

Joe Robbins was born on August 19, 1932, in Brown County and was a beloved member of his community, known for his dedicated service to others. Mr. Robbins served with distinction in the United States Navy during the Korean War and he later joined the Brownwood Police Department, where he worked for 41 years, holding every position on the police force, and finally serving as the Brownwood chief of police for six years. Joe and Clara Robbins were married for 61 years.

“The Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Joe Robbins,” read the resolution.

The Robbins family was presented with an official copy of the Resolution from Senator Dawn Buckingham.

Detective Doug Hurt represented the Brownwood Municipal Police Association with a special presentation to Police Chief Nichols.

“We’re thankful Chief Nichols that you’ve chosen to come to Brownwood and we’re thankful for what you’ve brought to our department,” said Hurt. The BMPA presented a ‘challenge coin’ to Nichols to show their appreciation for Chief Nichol’s work.

Mitch Slaymaker, Director of the Texas Municipal Police Association, was the guest speaker for the luncheon following the awards and presentations. Slaymaker retired from the Brownwood Police Department as a Sergeant after serving for 16 years.

Slaymaker began his address by sharing an old Cherokee story of “Two Wolves,” which illustrates the struggle of human nature. In the story, a chieftain tells his grandson about two wolves that struggle inside every man, a good wolf that represents peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and compassion – and a bad wolf that represents anger, envy, greed, arrogance, lies, false pride, and superiority.

The grandson thinks about what the chieftain has said and asks, “Which wolf will win?”

The chieftain replied, “The one you feed.”

“Surely all of us in this room would agree that there exists a struggle between good and evil in all of us,” Slaymaker said to the law enforcement officers gathered. He recognized that each officer has their own inner struggle magnified by the stresses of their service in law enforcement.

While officers “feed the good wolf,” with acts of service to their community, and by connections with families and friends, Slaymaker noted those in service will find the “bad wolf is fed,” from the horrors and hardships they face on a regular basis, as well as sensationalized criticism from mainstream media.

Slaymaker encouraged officers to seek out help “feeding the good wolf,” by opening up to friends and loved ones in their lives so they do not have to carry the psychological burden that comes with their difficult jobs.

“The wonderful men and women who continue to carry out these challenges deserve our praise and our thanks, and our unwavering support,” Slaymaker said.

In conclusion, Slaymaker shared 140 officers died in the line of duty this past year, and illustrated the significance of that loss with the sound of a coin dropping for each fallen officer. The sound of the coins rang heavy in a quiet room.

“They were killed for defending the freedoms that come with our way of life,” he said.

He had every active law enforcement officer present to stand up and be recognized.

“Look around the room, ladies and gentlemen, these are your champions,” Slaymaker said. “Let’s give them thanks.”