For more than three decades, Deputy Chief Chris Brite has been one of the steady, familiar faces behind Decatur’s sense of safety. On Tuesday night, the Decatur City Council set aside time to recognize that service, adopting Resolution 2026‑6 and honoring Brite as he prepares to retire after 32 years with the Decatur Police Department.
Brite’s path into public service began after graduating from Belmont High School and serving in the U.S. Army. He later worked for the Adams County Sheriff’s Department as a jail officer and reserve deputy before joining the Decatur Police Department as a full‑time patrolman on April 5, 1994. From that point forward, he built a career defined by consistency, professionalism, and a willingness to take on whatever role the community needed.
Over the years, Brite served in positions that touched nearly every part of the department. His work included bicycle patrol, crime scene investigation, evidence room operations, joint drug task force investigations, field sobriety testing, and supervisory roles as shift sergeant and lieutenant detective. He eventually rose to deputy chief, a position that reflected both his experience and the trust placed in him.
The resolution also highlighted Brite’s presence beyond routine police work. He volunteered at community events, assisted with traffic and crowd control, worked closely with Adams County Community Corrections, and spent time with local youth through bicycle safety programs and school activities. He helped organize and participate in events ranging from Cops for Kids to friendly competitions with North Adams Community Schools, often stepping forward early to support the effort.
His service extended into regional law enforcement as well, including long‑standing involvement with FOP Lodge 127, where he served as president, vice president, and chaplain.
Brite’s retirement becomes effective June 18, 2026. As council members voted unanimously to adopt the resolution, the moment carried a sense of gratitude — not only for the years he spent in uniform, but for the steady presence he offered to residents and fellow officers.
For a community that values safety, service, and connection, Brite’s career stands as a reminder of the people who quietly help make Decatur feel like home.