JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – A community came together Monday to honor the life of a cherished pillar of the Jacksonville community, who passed away earlier this month. <\/p>\n
Lieutenant James XY Brown, who was 98, was honored with a celebration of life after decades of being a friend and protector to those around him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember him as being a dancing policeman who directed traffic,\u201d Family member Earnestine Woods told WITN.<\/p>\n
Brown was a World War II veteran before working with the Jacksonville Police Department in 1957.<\/p>\n
There, he served his community for 68 years, many of which were dedicated to being a beloved school crossing guard.<\/p>\n
He retired at 97, about a year before his passing, but those he helped will remember him for much longer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so grateful that he watched over my girls when they were younger. They\u2019re 36 and 40,\u201d Beverley Vaughn, a Jacksonville community member, says. \u201cI\u2019m so thankful he watched over the children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Family members say Brown was nicknamed \u201cOfficer Friendly\u201d by his wife of over 60 years, who passed away in January of this year.<\/p>\n
Brown is survived by seven children, seven grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and several siblings.<\/p>\n
Loved ones say he\u2019ll be remembered for his sense of humor, his dedication to his job and the community, and the love he had for his family, friends, and coworkers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a loving father, husband, and grandfather. He\u2019s going to be greatly missed, but we thank God for his longevity and service in the community,\u201d Vaughn told WITN.<\/p>\n
His burial followed the celebration of life ceremony, where he was laid to rest at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.<\/p>\n
Though his watch has ended, his family says his impact will continue in the lives he touched around him.<\/p>\n
Family members told WITN Brown was widely considered the oldest and longest-serving officer in the United States.<\/p>\n
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