Lamar County is mourning the loss of retired Texas Department of Public Safety Special Agent Brian Lee Perry who passed early Thursday morning.
Not only was Perry a highly-respected law enforcement officer for over 30-years, but he was also a much-loved community member of Lamar County.
“He wasn’t just a great friend but he was a wealth of knowledge and someone we all went to for any kind of help being it in life or work,” said family friend and co-worker Jamie Blount, “he always listened and gave us good sound advice.”
Perry began his career in law enforcement not long after graduating high school working for TDCJ Correctional Facility before moving over to the Lamar County Adult Probation Office.
He graduated from ETSU – Texas A&M Commerce with a Bachelors Degree on May 5, 1993, and on Dec. 6, 1994, Perry attended the DPS Academy where he graduated with the Class of B-94 on June 2, 1995. He was stationed in Greenville and Paris during his time as a State Trooper.
Perry was promoted to Special Agent Narcotics Division on Oct. 1, 2002, in Garland and then was stationed Paris where he served until his retirement on Aug. 31, 2019.
He was very active in his church, First United Methodist and also with NET Emmaus and Chrysalis communities.
“We lost a really good man early this morning. Brian Perry retired Trooper & Narcotics agent passed away around 1 am. God wrapped his arms around Brian and said ‘Well done thy good and faithful servant’,” said retired DPS Trooper Johnny Williams.
“We are truly saddened by this news. Brian Perry recently retired Texas Trooper & Narcotics agent passed away around 1 a.m. He was such an incredible person and officer and is loved by so many. Rest in peace and thank you for your service, sir. Please keep his family, his DPS family, and many, many loved ones in your prayers,” said the president of Lamar County Adopt-A-Cop Amanda Willows.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; children, Nichole Perry, Chase Perry; parents, Thomas and Annie Perry; brother, Brad Perry and wife Kim; niece, Jennifer Perry Eatherly and husband Kyle; nephew, Colton Perry and wife Taylor; great-niece, Emalyn Eatherly; great-nephew, Reid Eatherly; father and mother-in-law, Donald and Janie Bonham; brother-in-law, Brent Bonham; sister-in-law, Vicki Bonham Flenniken and husband Blake.
The family requests that memorials be made to New Hope, FUMC-Connections, Lamar County Adopt a Cop or NET Emmaus.
A memorial service has been set for Sunday, September 29, 2019, at 3:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church multi-purpose building with Rev. Dallen Morgan and Rev. Bill Coleman officiating. No formal visitation has been set. (See obituary)
