Paul Bryant Photo Former Henderson County Deputy Thomas Robertson has replaced Ron Shields as Brownsboro's police chief. ATHENS - A pair of former Henderson County deputies talked about their experiences together here Friday, less than a week after one replaced the other as Brownsboro's police chief.

The stories included standoffs and shootouts they survived, the chases, and the hard knocks they endured. They reminisced about officers with whom they had served, the people they've helped, and the communities they've bettered.

The moment was bitter- sweet for both men.

For Thomas Robertson, though, the emotions ran high - and low. He had just been sworn into office by Brownsboro Mayor Ronny Harris after spending 11 years with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office. But he was succeeding Chief Ron Shields, a close friend and fellow officer whose legacy includes solving sexual crimes and homicides for 20 years with the Sheriff's Office.

"I came over here to talk to Ron Shields back in March about a case I was working," Robertson said. "He knew he was getting sick and asked me if I ever thought about working for somewhere else other than the county, and I really hadn't."

But that changed after Shields told Robertson he should apply for the job when Brownsboro City Hall advertised the position.

"Tom just doesn't understand what I've done to him to get him to apply," Shields said, laughing. "I think they're very fortunate to have this guy. The mayor and city council are topflight organizations in Brownsboro."

Shields, 65, resigned on Aug. 18 after five years as Brownsboro police chief. He is fighting liver cancer.

"I've been very fortunate to be in law enforcement," he said. "In Brownsboro, I got real attached to it."

The Texas Legislature in April adopted a resolution commending Shields for his contributions to the law-enforcement community, specifically his service to the East Texas Police Academy at Kilgore College.

"I started teaching the academy in 1997," he said. "I probably taught 600 to 700 students."

Shields started his law-enforcement career in 1984 as a patrolman for the Sheriff's Office. But he may be best known for his 10 years of investigating sexual crimes, Robertson said.

"He has been a huge asset for this county."

Henderson County Sheriff Ray Nutt could not be reached.

Robertson, 38, was a patrol sergeant for the Sheriff's Office before joining the Brownsboro Police Department.

He was instructed by Shields at the East Texas Police Academy, and also has SWAT, rapid-response, rifle, sniper and other training. He was chosen among more than a dozen applicants.

He said he wants to continue what Shields started in Brownsboro.

"Ron wanted to bring the department up to speed, so to speak. Like I told my men when I took over, I never want to step back. I want progress. I want to move forward."

Robertson said he wants to install new dashboard cameras in his patrol cars and continue to decrease speeding through town on State Highway 31, particularly in the school zone.

"Since Ron took over, they have increased tickets and cut the accident rate from about 40 percent to 15 percent."

The Police Department has three full-time officers: Danny Ford, Scott Myntti, and Lonnie McKinney. Its budget is about $135,000.

Robertson and his wife, Laura, live just west of Brownsboro. They have two daughters, Megan, 8, and Katelyn, 11.