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Cheryl Brown is no stranger to law enforcement. She is a Greene County Native who began her career in law enforcement in August of 1997. While she has never worked for the Sheriff's Office prior to now, she has worked closely with the Sheriff's Office through Greene County Dispatch and the Greene County 911 call center.
5 years ago, Brown was promoted as the Agency TAC. (Terminal Agency Coordinator) Her primary responsibility was to process all warrants and background checks for Greene County and to ensure all cases were in order. In the past, the TAC reported directly to the County Manager. Recently the County Manager, Byron Lombard and Sheriff Houston agreed that it made the most sense to move Brown to the Greene County Sheriff's Office.
"I was excited about the move. My dad, George Brown, was a deputy for 27 years. He served as Chief Deputy under Ricky Brown and worked in investigations for the Sheriff up until he retired two years ago. The Sheriff's Office has always been a part of my life so it feels 'right' being here," said Brown. "Mamma said 'It's your calling,'" she laughs as she recalls conversations with her mother.
A mother of 3, Brown takes her job very seriously. She is solely responsible for the sheriff's records. Brown shared, "I'm really dedicated to my job. I loved and still love what I do. I love working with the guys. I like knowing that the citizens of Greene County are safe, and that my kids are safe and... that I'm safe."
Brown admits some days are stressful but feels like it came second nature to her and that this is what she was meant to do. She prides herself in being thorough with everything she does. "I know so many people in the community and I have a responsibility to be helpful to them," says Brown.
Brown remembers a terrifying event. "I answered a call on Thanksgiving Day, 2007. A man had stolen a women's truck then showed up to return the truck. Lee Stancill and Randy Murphy were on call and went to the scene. The call was too far out for our regular radios back then to maintain contact with us so I lost touch. I remember Stancill coming on the radio and screaming 'shots fired, GSW!' (Gun shot wound)
The man who had stolen the truck was on parole and ended up taking his own life. For a moment I thought it was one of the deputies. I was nervous and began speaking in plain talk forgetting all of the code we normally speak over the radio.
I called my dad who happened to also be on call and sent him to the scene. It was a crazy experience.
I broke down that day. After I calmed down I thought about how I'd tried not to let emotion get involved. I'm not going to cry. After so many calls... I've learned that I'm human and they do effect me ... Having emotions is ok and is necessary to be effective at my job. I learned a lot about myself that day," Brown pauses.
Cheryl Brown is honored to work at The Greene County Sheriff's Office. "These guys are professionals." she says. "Everyday nothing terrible happens is a great day and even when bad things happen we get through it together, it will be ok."
Brown values the relationships she has with the Sheriff and the other employees. "We all get along...We were a family at dispatch... I knew the deputies but didn't really know the office personnel at the Sheriff's Office. I feel like we all get along. They were all so welcoming... same culture I came from. We have each other's backs and that feels good," said Brown.
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