Retirement party honors former DPD Chief David Brown

DALLAS - Family, friends and fellow officers celebrated the career of former Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

A private reception was held Thursday night at the Myerson Symphony Center in Downtown Dallas to celebrate Brown’s milestone. He insisted he was not going to run for public office but revealed he is in negotiations to his platform in the media to try and bring people together.

“It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. I’ve been through hell and high water,” he admitted.

Brown has to reveal what his next role will be. He only provided a hint.

“We are in discussions with several opportunities we finished up some. But they want to announce it and not me,” Brown said. “I have a great interest in using the media platform to convey a message about bringing people together.”

City leaders and members of congress praised the Oak Cliff native as noted by Dallas Police Interim Chief David Pughes.

“I get the task of filling the shoes of the most famous, greatest police chief in the world,” Pughes said.

Brown closed the celebration with a short speech and told the crowd of leaders they would continue to be his family members.

“To end your career than have people who may have even criticized you deeply say we appreciate you -- it’s a good feeling,” Brown told the crowd.

Brown joined the force while still in college. He worked his way up to become chief six years ago.

Brown hasn’t said what he plans to do next other than take some time off. He announced his retirement eight weeks after the July 7 police ambush that killed four officers from Dallas and one from DART. Brown was forced into the national spotlight that night.

Brown used that platform in the immediate aftermath to say the country’s officers were being asked to do too much. He also called on Black Lives Matter protesters to join the department and put in an application.

After announcing his retirement, Brown said the notoriety, to him, felt "distasteful" and that it was time to go. After 33 years with the department, Brown’s last day on the job was earlier this month.