The Smith County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to appoint Danny Brown as the new Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5 following Judge Jon Johnson's announcement of his retirement. The decision was made during a meeting on Tuesday, September 24.
Brown, who has served as the Tyler ISD Police Chief for the past 12 years, expressed his eagerness to serve the Lindale community, where he has resided for 20 years. "I have always driven to Tyler to work,” Brown said. “I want to serve in Lindale where I have lived all these years.”
His extensive career in law enforcement includes 21 years with the Tyler Police Department, where he retired in 2002. Following his retirement, he worked as a Child Protective Services special investigator for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for five years before becoming the Tyler ISD Police Chief in 2012.
Brown previously ran for the Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace position in the 2018 election but was defeated by Judge Johnson. He was one of several applicants considered for the role. After conducting discussions during two executive sessions over the past two weeks, the Commissioners Court reached their decision in favor of Brown.
In his letter of interest to the court, Brown highlighted his qualifications: “I am a motivated professional with customer service proficiency and extensive supervisor experience. I believe that my experience, management skills, and leadership abilities qualify me to be considered for this honorable position.”
In addition to his law enforcement background, Brown and his wife own the Crayon Clubhouse Learning Center daycare in Lindale and are preparing to open a new business called the Seed of Hope Visitation Center. This facility will provide supervised visitation services for children in CPS care.
Since 2015, Brown and his wife have been foster parents and have adopted four children from the CPS system. They have adult children, along with three young children currently living at home.
Brown will be officially sworn into his new role after Judge Johnson retires on September 30.
