In the six years he’s led the Southlake Police Department, Chief James Brandon has never had a year quite like 2020. Battling not only COVID-19 public health concerns but also his own health issues as he was diagnosed with cancer, Chief Brandon happily serves the loving and caring community that has supported him through it all. As proud as he is to serve Southlake, there’s another role he sees as even more important — being a father.
MY LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER… began in 1999 with the Corpus Christi Police Department. In 2013, I was hired as the assistant police chief for Southlake Police then was promoted to chief in 2015.
SERVING AS SOUTHLAKE’S POLICE CHIEF… is truly a privilege. I lead a police department in which the citizens, city council and the city’s leadership are all supportive. I come to work every day and am surrounded by people who are prepared to sacrifice their own safety and well-being for others. That provides us with a great sense of purpose and direction.
MY WIFE AND I… have two sons, 15 and 18. It’s both a great responsibility and privilege to be their father. Our goal is to raise productive young men who will leave the world a better place than they found it. At the end of my life, my family will matter much more than my career — or anything else.
I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH GASTRIC CANCER… in March 2020. It was a lot for my wife and I to wrap our heads around initially. There was a time shortly after the diagnosis when we were told that my prognosis was very poor, so we spent a week updating my will and making sure my wife had all the information she needed on life insurance. That was a hard week.
MY WIFE AND I… decided at the beginning to keep our two teenagers fully informed so that our family was all on the same page. We explained that I am not a victim of anything and that we looked at this as just another challenge to get through. I think that having a positive mindset does wonders, and the kids seemed to adopt our attitude.
NOTHING PUTS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE… like being told you probably will not survive. The course of treatment was four rounds of chemo, two abdominal surgeries then four more rounds of chemo. All of that was the hardest thing we have ever faced.
IT WAS CERTAINLY GREAT NEWS… when I was told I was cancer-free, but the practical side of me is very aware that I have dealt with inaccurate scans before, so I took the news in stride. I have periodic scans to ensure the cancer does not come back, but if it does, we’ll deal with that like we did the first time. I have a positive attitude about it, but I also understand that this may not be the end of the fight.
I THINK THAT… the journey has certainly made us stronger as a family. There have been times where I reminded our sons that whatever they are going through pales in comparison to how they dealt with cancer.
THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY… have been extremely supportive. I think at some level, everyone understands that cancer could happen to any of us. Many people have told me about either experiencing cancer themselves or that they have a close relative that has gone through it. I think that causes a level of understanding, support and sympathy that feels good to share with others.
IN THE WORLD OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND CHIEFS… the challenges never seem to stop. The men and women of our department have faced many challenges in the last 18 months, and they have done so with courage, grace and dignity. I am lucky enough to work with great officers, civilians and an awesome assistant chief who led the department during the summer in my absence.
AS THE DEPARTMENT’S LEADER… I always feel it is incumbent upon me to set a positive tone and find a path that leads to the safety and success of our citizens and officers. I have returned to doing what I feel I was called to do, but it’s also the last step in life returning to normal. It feels great to be back. I am very thankful that Southlake Police continues to step up, no matter the challenge.