The Jacksonville and Onslow County communities are remembering James “XY” Brown, a longtime police officer and beloved public servant whose remarkable career spanned nearly seven decades.
Brown, who was 98 years old, retired from the Jacksonville Police Department in late 2025 after 68 years of service. His retirement marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in local law enforcement, but the impact he made on generations of residents continues to be remembered.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Jacksonville
Brown began volunteering with the Jacksonville Police Department in 1957 before becoming a full-time officer in 1971.
Over the years, he became particularly familiar to generations of Jacksonville families through his work as a school crossing guard.
For decades, Brown helped children safely cross the streets near Northwoods Elementary School, becoming a recognizable and trusted presence in the lives of students, parents and teachers.
His work was about more than directing traffic. For many families, Brown represented a reassuring presence in the community — someone children could recognize and trust as they made their way to and from school.
Honored With North Carolina’s Highest Civilian Award
Brown’s extraordinary commitment to public service earned recognition from officials at both the local and state levels.
In March 2026, he received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
The recognition celebrated a lifetime of service to the community and reflected the extraordinary length of Brown’s career.
Even after his retirement, former colleagues and members of the community continued to find ways to honor him.
In March, former Jacksonville police officers visited Brown and presented him with the stop sign he had used for years as a crossing guard.
The sign carried special meaning because it had been signed by police officers, students and teachers from Northwoods Elementary School.
A Veteran Who Served His Country and Community
Brown’s dedication to service extended beyond Jacksonville.
He was also a World War II Army veteran, adding military service to an already remarkable record of commitment to others.
From serving his country to protecting his community and helping children safely navigate their way to school, Brown devoted much of his life to public service.
His story represents a rare lifetime of dedication that touched multiple generations.
A Legacy That Will Continue
For the Jacksonville community, James “XY” Brown was more than a police officer. He became a familiar face, mentor and trusted community figure.
The children he helped cross the road decades ago eventually grew up, while Brown continued serving new generations of students.
His nearly 70 years of involvement with Jacksonville created a legacy that few public servants can match.
James “XY” Brown will be remembered for a lifetime spent serving others — as a soldier, police officer, mentor and friend to generations of Jacksonville families. His legacy lives on in the people he protected, the children he helped and the community he served for nearly seven decades.
