98-Year-Old N.C. Police Officer Retires after 68 Years with Force

A 98-year-old North Carolina police officer—the department's longest-serving officer—retired last week. 

Jacksonville Police Lt. James "XY" Brown received his retirement badge and his service shadowbox from Chief Jared Phelps, according to the Jacksonville Public Safety Department. He also was recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives and the North Carolina General Assembly with flags flown in his honor over their respective capitol buildings. 

"Officer Brown has served the City of Jacksonville for an extraordinary 68 years- a lifetime of dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to protecting our community," the department stated.

Brown, who served in World War II and worked as a civil service truck driver at Camp Lejeune, began volunteering with the department in 1971, The (Jacksonville) Daily News reports. In 1971, he began working as a full-time officer, and he became an elementary school crossing guard in 1985, where he was a popular fixture.

"He didn’t just direct traffic, he directed childhood,” former Police Chief Michael Yaniero, now a city council member, told The Daily News. "He greeted the students by name, he noticed when they were having a tough morning, he celebrated their victories, encouraged their dreams and made sure they knew that someone was looking out for them."

Along with the retirement badge presentation at his home, Brown was honored Thursday with a ceremony at the Jacksonville Public Safety Remembrance Garden, where a brick was laid in his honor. Brown, who was unable to attend because of his health, watch the event online, but his family was able to attend the ceremony.

“He was the epitome of a community police officer," Yaniero told The Daily News. "You can’t replace that.”