Longtime Arlington Police Officer Gets Special Recognition from City Leaders
By Tim Ciesco, Arlington Police Department
Posted on December 05, 2019, December 05, 2019

Officer PJ Brock honored by Arlington Mayor Jeff WiliamsMention the name PJ Brock to any Arlington Police officer and you’re almost guaranteed to get a smile in return.

A member of the department’s second-ever academy class, Brock first came to APD in 1991. She had previously served in the U.S. Air Force and with the SMU and DART Police Departments.

She retired from full-time police work in 2013, but immediately came back to work for the department as a part-time officer, where she continues to help the traffic unit file DWI cases.

“I love it,” said Brock, who admits she didn’t have it in her to walk away from law enforcement when she retired. “The police department is my family.”

Though deeply respected for her stellar police work, Brock truly made her mark when APD’s chaplain approached her about helping to coordinate officer funerals. It became her job to ensure each officer received the full compliment of honors and tributes befitting of their profession at their memorial service – and to make sure the officer’s immediate and police families were equipped with everything they needed.

Known for her perfectionist tendencies, word quickly spread about Brock’s efforts – and she has since been asked to help plan peace officer memorials for the state and other cities in Texas.

“If I see something that’s needed, I go fix it,” said Brock.

Having given so much of herself to others, this week, the Arlington City Council wanted to give Brock something in return. During Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Jeff Williams surprised her by presenting her with a Proclamation declaring Dec. 3, 2019 as “PJ Brock Day” in the City of Arlington.

Brock says she was completely caught off-guard by the recognition -- and thought she’d been asked to come to City Hall for something else.

“It was very humbling,” said Brock. “But really, it takes a team – it takes everyone working together to make me successful.”

Support Youth and Families
News, Headlines, Community, Public Safety, Police