DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A former Dekalb County police chief is now in line to fill a bigger role.

Thomas Brown Jr., was recently nominated to be a U.S. Marshal by President Joe Biden.

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“This is, in my mind, the perfect capstone of a 41-year career in public safety. It’s something that I don’t take lightly. I’m honored that the President of the United States picked me,” he said.

Brown said it was a thorough process to get to this point.

“I knew some eight or nine months ago, that I was going through the process and it essentially took six months, for the FBI and the U.S. Marshals to do a very extensive background investigation of the last 52 years of my life. Let me say that again, 52 years of my life. I’m very pleased and honored with the opportunity to serve yet again.”

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But he said getting that call was well worth it.

“On last Monday, I received an e-mail from the Marshals Service, indicating that the White House has notified them, that they intend to formally nominate me,” said Brown.

Protecting and serving is nothing new for Brown.

He was the fire chief for Dekalb County Fire for four years and then he worked as the public safety director for 10 years.

In 2016, he retired as the sheriff of the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office.

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He was in that position for 16 years, but this new role is like a dream job.

“Quite frankly, I was hoping, that this opportunity would become available and it did. Timing is everything, and it worked out for me, just right. I know I still have a lot to give in law enforcement and public safety in general,” said Brown.

Now that Brown is nominated, he has to get approved by Senate.

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