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Brush dies at age 60
By CHARLYN FINN
Whenever disaster occurred on the Point Comfort side of the Hwy. 35 causeway bridge, the first responder would usually be Police Chief Rick Brush.
Brush was always there for Point Comfort citizens and thought of as sensitive law enforcement, according to Point Comfort Mayor Pam Lambden.
He died at 1:30 p.m. Monday after spending several days in the intensive care unit of Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi. He was lifeflighted there after suffered a stroke Friday.
He will be missed by community members, especially the children at Point Comfort Elementary School whom he greeted each morning and evening at their school bus.
“This community is deeply saddened by Rick's passing,” Lambden said. “We haven't just lost our police chief, we have lost our friend. We were privileged to have Rick serve as our police chief for over 10 years. Rick provided an invaluable service to our community. He took care of all of us, watched over our children and grandchildren going to school each day.
“I am honored to have been his friend. He will greatly missed.”
Brush offered security, friendship and a steady hand, said Randy Smith, vice president and general manager at Formosa Plastics in Point Comfort.
“Chief Rick Brush will be missed as my neighbor, as our security that might cruise by the house at 5 a.m. or 11 p.m., and as a valuable ally that was often the first person to offer assistance if anything unusual was happening at the Formosa Plan,” Smith said. “His smooth demeanor had a calming effect on situations but he could be very firm when this was needed. Chief Brush stayed aware of the big picture, always watching for a loose end that might need attention. We shall miss him sorely.”
A full law honor guard memorial service with bagpipes and the 21-gun salute and the last call, attended by Texas law enforcement officers, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bauer Community Center with the Revs. John Fisher and Ron Shott officiating.
Brush was a law enforcement officer for 40 years. He held numerous law enforcement certificates and awards such as Special Investigator, Mental Health Officer, Firearms Instructor, SFST, Jailers License and Instructor License to name a few. He was one of the first in the area to receive the Master's Peace Officers License. He was a 1980 graduate of the 123rd Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Va.
Brush began his career shortly after graduating from Slaton High School in 1964, joining the Slaton Police Department on Sept. 1, 1965. He also served in Post, Austin at the University of Texas, Yoakum, Hallettsville, Port Lavaca Police and Calhoun County Sheriff Office, Palacios, Seadrift and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Brush came to Calhoun County to work as an investigator for the district attorney's office when A.P. Lacy was sheriff, and was the chief deputy under Lacy. He was hired as Seadrift Police Chief in 1992 and in 1995 he moved across Lavaca Bay to Point Comfort. Brush resided in Point Comfort with his wife, Linda.
In addition to being police chief, Brush was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department and a First Responder. He belonged to Friends of the Point Comfort Library, the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, Crime Victims Advocate, American Police Hall of Fame, Golden Crescent Planning Commission, Texas Police Association, Sheriff's Association of Texas and once served as a Canine Officer.
Brush attended Point Comfort First Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and an usher. He was chairman of personnel, co-minister of Children's Service and was a part of the Walk to Emmaus with First United Methodist Church.
“First and foremost, this is a great loss for everyone at Alcoa who knew Chief Brush personally,” said Laurel Cahill, communications/community affairs supervisor for Alcoa World Alumina Atlantic Point Comfort Operations. “He was a genuine man who cared deeply about his family, his friends and his community. We will miss his reassuring presence, his dedication, his commitment to the safety of all who live and work in Point Comfort, and his friendship. All of us at Alcoa extend our thoughts and prayers to Chief Brush's wife, Linda, his family, and his colleagues at the City of Point Comfort.”
Brush was always there for Point Comfort citizens and thought of as sensitive law enforcement, according to Point Comfort Mayor Pam Lambden.
He died at 1:30 p.m. Monday after spending several days in the intensive care unit of Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi. He was lifeflighted there after suffered a stroke Friday.
He will be missed by community members, especially the children at Point Comfort Elementary School whom he greeted each morning and evening at their school bus.
“This community is deeply saddened by Rick's passing,” Lambden said. “We haven't just lost our police chief, we have lost our friend. We were privileged to have Rick serve as our police chief for over 10 years. Rick provided an invaluable service to our community. He took care of all of us, watched over our children and grandchildren going to school each day.
“I am honored to have been his friend. He will greatly missed.”
Brush offered security, friendship and a steady hand, said Randy Smith, vice president and general manager at Formosa Plastics in Point Comfort.
“Chief Rick Brush will be missed as my neighbor, as our security that might cruise by the house at 5 a.m. or 11 p.m., and as a valuable ally that was often the first person to offer assistance if anything unusual was happening at the Formosa Plan,” Smith said. “His smooth demeanor had a calming effect on situations but he could be very firm when this was needed. Chief Brush stayed aware of the big picture, always watching for a loose end that might need attention. We shall miss him sorely.”
A full law honor guard memorial service with bagpipes and the 21-gun salute and the last call, attended by Texas law enforcement officers, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bauer Community Center with the Revs. John Fisher and Ron Shott officiating.
Brush was a law enforcement officer for 40 years. He held numerous law enforcement certificates and awards such as Special Investigator, Mental Health Officer, Firearms Instructor, SFST, Jailers License and Instructor License to name a few. He was one of the first in the area to receive the Master's Peace Officers License. He was a 1980 graduate of the 123rd Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Va.
Brush began his career shortly after graduating from Slaton High School in 1964, joining the Slaton Police Department on Sept. 1, 1965. He also served in Post, Austin at the University of Texas, Yoakum, Hallettsville, Port Lavaca Police and Calhoun County Sheriff Office, Palacios, Seadrift and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Brush came to Calhoun County to work as an investigator for the district attorney's office when A.P. Lacy was sheriff, and was the chief deputy under Lacy. He was hired as Seadrift Police Chief in 1992 and in 1995 he moved across Lavaca Bay to Point Comfort. Brush resided in Point Comfort with his wife, Linda.
In addition to being police chief, Brush was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department and a First Responder. He belonged to Friends of the Point Comfort Library, the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, Crime Victims Advocate, American Police Hall of Fame, Golden Crescent Planning Commission, Texas Police Association, Sheriff's Association of Texas and once served as a Canine Officer.
Brush attended Point Comfort First Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and an usher. He was chairman of personnel, co-minister of Children's Service and was a part of the Walk to Emmaus with First United Methodist Church.
“First and foremost, this is a great loss for everyone at Alcoa who knew Chief Brush personally,” said Laurel Cahill, communications/community affairs supervisor for Alcoa World Alumina Atlantic Point Comfort Operations. “He was a genuine man who cared deeply about his family, his friends and his community. We will miss his reassuring presence, his dedication, his commitment to the safety of all who live and work in Point Comfort, and his friendship. All of us at Alcoa extend our thoughts and prayers to Chief Brush's wife, Linda, his family, and his colleagues at the City of Point Comfort.”
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