Burnet Police Chief Brian Lee is planning to call in 10-7 (the traditional patrol police officer radio signal which declares “out of service”) and to be sure, the announcement will end a job well done.
Recently, after more than four years as the top Burnet law enforcement officer, Lee announced he plans to retire by the end of the year.
“He is closing out a distinguished career marked by steady leadership and deep community ties,” Burnet City Manager David Vaughn said of Lee who joined the department in March 2021.
Certainly, during his tenure, when city officials asked locals to donate blood, stand against cancer, child abuse address numerous other concerns, cook free Thanksgiving meals for Hill Country residents and more, Lee and his fellow police department personnel stood up and showed the way.
“The City of Burnet thanks Chief Lee for his exceptional service and leadership,” Vaughn said. “His legacy will be felt in the department and community for years to come.”
The city manager attributed to the lawman a long list of Burnet police department accomplishments and improvements during his watch, including: More accountability with the community through events and partnerships; Increase of patrol staff, enhanced officer presence and responsiveness; Expansion of the K-9 unit, also, department unmanned aerial vehicles to improve vigilance of public safety during largecrowd events like the Bluebonnet Festival; the upgrade of telecommunication forensic gear to help regional law enforcement agencies solve serious crimes; the modernization of the Burnet Police Department firearms training range, to be the point where it is now available to multiple area law enforcement agencies; an increased of police officer safety during investigations of illegal drug traffic cases through deployment of the TruNarc Handheld Narcotic Analyzer system; promotion and maintenance of a fully-staffed police department; and embellishment of police uniforms and patrol vehicles and with eye-catching art, also patches to honor active-duty military service members, raise awareness of breast cancer and domestic violence.
Indeed, Burnet police plan to unveil a new vehicle design to promote autism awareness this fall.
“As Burnet looks forward to its next chapter, a nationwide search for a successor to Lee is set to launch this month, to set the stage for a transition that will shape the future of policing,” Vaughn said.
