William Brooks:
CLASS OF 1971
Henderson High SchoolClass of 1971
Henderson, TX
East Texas Police AcademyClass of 1984
Kilgore, TX
William's Story
After graduating from Henderosn Highs School, I worked at a mobile home factory in Henderson for a short time, then i went to work for an auto parts dealer.
In 1972, I was married to my first wife, Linda. We were married for 10 years, wehad two sons during that time.
In 1987 I went into business with my then father-in-law. We ran a service station, garage, muffler shop, and wrecker service in Jacksonville, Texas.
In 1980 I attendede the East Texas Police Academy and received my reserve peace officers license. I went to work for the City of Rusk as a reserve Police officer and later went to work for the Jacksonville P.D. when they started their reserve program.
In late 1982 Linda and I were divorced. She remarried a couple of months after that.
I closed my business and later went to work for a new car dealership as a mechanic.
While single I met my wife, Janis, she had twop kids from a previous marriage, so therefore we now had a four kid family. What a trip!
I continued working as a mechanic but I really wanted to go into law enforcement full time and the opportunity came where I could.
A fellow officer at the JPD told me tht Palestine P.D. was testing for patrolmen. I applied, took the test and passed it. I went to work for PPD on 12/01/1983.
I served with the Palestine P.D.from 12/01/1983 until 06/01/1995. I started out as a patrolman and was promoted to the position of Patrol Corporal after 2 years. I then promoted to Detective where I worked robbery/homicide as well as working property crimes. I became a firearms instructor and later trained as a sniper for the P.D. I also became a latent fingerprint examiner. This was the best and most professional bunch of men tht I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I still keep in contact with them today.
My wife and I bought a vacation home in Port Aransas in 1992 we moved there full time in 1995. I spent a small time with the Port Aransas P.D. and was later offered a job with Aransas Pass P.D. as a criminal investigator. I was hired with the rank of Sergeant and over the next 10 yrs. I was promoted to Lt. and then to Capt. of Detectives. A new chief ...Expand for more
was hired in 2003. In '05 after several differences over budget cuts, personnel changes, and other matters, I resigned and applied for my retirement. 2 months later I went to work for the Aransas County Sheriff's Dept. as a transport deputy ( best job I ever had in law enforcement, no stress, just taking prisoners to and from jails, prisons, and occassionally court.
My wife wanted to move back to East. Texas so I took a job as special investigator for CPS with State of Texas.
During this time, I developed major problems and decided to completely retire. Left that job on 01/01/07 never regretted leaving it.
Ended up having 2 major heart surgeries and recovered.
After that I decided that I would enter real estate as I had always said that when I retired from law enforcement, I would like to sell real estate.
Got my real estate license after six months and went to work for Black Bear Realty in Alto, Texas I really enjoy it. Good regular hours no stress, don't have the weight of having to always carry a gun.
My wife and I then bought a small ranch between her old home place in Rusk and where I work in Alto.
We now raise Longhorn cattle and plan to start a larger herd of registered longhorns in the near future.
God has been good to Janis and I, between us we have four children, all of whom are happily married. We also have six grandkids and are hoping for more.
Our kids have been really successful in their lives as our daughter has worked for the same attorney for 19 years this year and has one child. The oldest son has two children and works in the lab of a major East Texas hospital. The next oldest is married with three kids, lives in North Carolina and has been in the U.S. Marines for 15+ years serving three overseas tours of duty. Finally the youngest was just married in December of 08. He has been with the Aransas County Sheriff's Dept. since 2000. He wasa the youngest patrolman with that agency when he started, when he was promoted to sergeant, he was their youngest patrol sergeant ever, then he promoted to criminal investigator and was again the youngest that department has ever had.
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