The Jacksonville and Onslow County communities are remembering James “XY” Brown, a longtime police officer whose extraordinary career in public service 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 remarkable career made him a familiar and respected figure to generations of residents, particularly the children and families he helped protect throughout his years as a school crossing guard.
Brown first began volunteering with the Jacksonville Police Department in 1957. After years of service to the department and the community, he became a full-time police officer in 1971.
Among his most recognizable roles was his work as a crossing guard near Northwoods Elementary School, where he helped generations of students safely navigate the streets. His presence became a familiar part of daily life for children, parents, teachers and residents in the area.
For many in Jacksonville, Brown represented more than a police officer. He became a symbol of consistency, dedication and community service, returning day after day to help keep local children safe.
His decades of commitment earned him one of North Carolina’s highest honors. In March 2026, Brown received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest civilian honor, recognizing his extraordinary contributions and longstanding service to the community.
Even after his retirement, Brown remained close to the department and the people he had served for so many years.
In March, former colleagues visited him and presented him with the stop sign he had used throughout his years as a school crossing guard. The keepsake carried special meaning because it had been signed by Jacksonville police officers as well as students and teachers from Northwoods Elementary.
The gesture reflected the lasting connection Brown had developed with the community during his decades of service.
Brown’s life of service also extended beyond law enforcement. He was a World War II Army veteran, adding military service to an already extraordinary record of dedication to his country and his hometown.
For generations of Jacksonville residents, Brown’s legacy is likely to be remembered through the countless children he helped cross the road, the families he encountered during his career and the fellow officers who worked alongside him.
After 68 years with the Jacksonville Police Department, James “XY” Brown leaves behind a legacy measured not only in years of service, but in the lives touched along the way.
His story stands as a remarkable example of a lifetime devoted to protecting, serving and caring for a community.
