XY Brown Jacksonville NC Obituary, Death: The Jacksonville community is remembering the remarkable career of Officer James “XY” Brown, a longtime member of the Jacksonville Police Department whose extraordinary commitment to public service spanned nearly seven decades.
Brown became widely recognized for his decades of service to Jacksonville and for the special relationship he developed with generations of local residents. His career was notable not only for its extraordinary length but also for the personal connection he maintained with the community.
In 2023, U.S. Rep. Gregory Murphy recognized Brown in the Congressional Record for his dedication to Eastern North Carolina. At the time, Brown had served more than 65 years with the Jacksonville Police Department and was described as the department’s oldest serving officer.
One of the most recognizable aspects of Brown’s later years of service was his work helping children safely navigate busy streets. Residents of Jacksonville regularly saw him managing traffic and assisting students as they crossed neighborhood roads. His presence became familiar to generations of families.
Brown’s remarkable career continued well beyond the typical retirement age for a police officer. In reporting published around his retirement, WCTI reported that Brown retired at age 98 after 68 years of combined service with the Jacksonville Police Department.
His longevity in law enforcement made his story particularly unusual. Rather than simply serving as a police officer, Brown became a familiar and beloved figure within Jacksonville. His daily interactions with residents helped establish a reputation that extended beyond his official duties.
For many people in the community, his work as a crossing guard became one of the most visible examples of that dedication. Helping children get safely across the road allowed Brown to remain connected to the people he had spent decades serving.
Reports circulating about Brown’s death at age 99 have generated renewed attention to his extraordinary life and career. However, an authoritative obituary or official announcement confirming his death was not located during the preparation of this report. Consequently, the reported passing should be independently confirmed before details concerning his death or funeral arrangements are published as fact.
If the reported death is confirmed by Brown’s family, the Jacksonville Police Department or a funeral home, the community will have an opportunity to formally honor a man whose service became part of Jacksonville’s history.
Brown’s legacy is ultimately measured not only by the 68 years associated with his police career, but by the countless everyday interactions that made him recognizable to residents. From his law-enforcement duties to helping children cross the street, he represented a distinctive connection between public service and community life.
For generations of Jacksonville residents, James “XY” Brown was more than a police officer. He was a familiar face, a protector, a mentor and a symbol of dedication to the community.
His reported passing, if officially confirmed, would mark the end of an extraordinary chapter in Jacksonville’s law-enforcement history.