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Advocate Editorial Board opinion: B.B. Browning's leadership will be missed

  • By the Advocate Editorial Board
  • Originally published January 2, 2013 at 6:06 p.m., updated January 2, 2013 at 6:06 p.m.

We appreciate public servants in the Crossroads. All the work they do helps to make our communities safe, enjoyable places to live and work.

In Calhoun County, one dedicated man has stepped aside, and while we are sad to see him go, we admire him for his years of dedication to the communities he served.

B.B. Browning is now the former sheriff of Calhoun County, an office he held for 16 years. As of 10 a.m. New Year's Day, George Aleman became the new sheriff and Browning stepped into retirement.

Browning's law enforcement career goes back farther than the time he served as sheriff. He served more than 40 years, including 21 years as a constable after he helped found the Calhoun County Sheriff's Reserves. While law enforcement often means dealing with the darker side of humanity, Browning always saw the job as a chance to help and protect people.

"You have to look at it in perspective, that certain people are bad elements, and that's what we're trying to control. There are a lot of good people out there. I've made a lot of good friends over the years," he said.

We are proud that Calhoun County had such a community-minded, focused man wearing the sheriff's badge. This office has jurisdiction over the entire county and requires a great deal of strength, character and good leadership. During his time in office, Sheriff Browning displayed all these characteristics and more.

In the summer of 2012, he was presented with the Tom Tellepsen Award, an award given to an outstanding sheriff at the Annual Banquet of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas. We see this award as well-deserved recognition of a man who has faithfully served and protected his community for decades, and we are grateful for his years of service.

Now, as Browning steps back, Aleman is taking the reins in Calhoun County. Aleman's predecessor left some big boots to fill, and we hope Aleman is up to the task. Transition in leadership is sometimes difficult, but we look forward to seeing a continuation of the good standards established by Browning in his years of service. So we welcome Sheriff Aleman to his new post in Calhoun County. We wish you luck in the days to come.

To former Sheriff Browning, we thank you and hope you have many more years of rest and happiness ahead.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.