Former Sabine Sheriff, the late Alfice Brumley is one of three selected to receive a posthumous award at the annual Sabine Hall of Fame to be held Tuesday, March 25, at the Many VFW Hall, 1738 San Antonio Ave., at 6:30 p.m. Ticket locations are listed below.
James Alfice Brumley, Jr. was born on Dec. 10, 1934 in the Mount Zion Community near Many to James Alfice Brumley, Sr. and Annie Lou Lites Brumley. His siblings were Terry Brumley, Marjorie (Ebarb), Claudine (Mizzell), and Arlene (Harrison).
Alfice attended school and graduated from Many High School. After graduation, he attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches where he majored in Education. He received his bachelor’s degree in education and spent some years teaching. He completed some post graduate work at Louisiana State University later in his career.
He was a veteran, and he served in the Army in the 22nd Airborne Paratroopers. Additionally, he served in the National Guard for seven and onehalf years. Brumley started his law enforcement career in the early 1960s with the Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Thomas “Pappy” Phillips, then he served under Sheriff Harold Sandel.
On Dec. 2, 1971, Alfice and LaNell married and began their life together. To this union they welcomed two children, James Alfice, III and Jamie Brumley (Rule). They attended Calvary Baptist Church in Many, LA, and their children were the joys of their lives.
Alfice’s work in law enforcement included serving as Many Chief of Police 1972-1978. He was elected and served as Sabine Parish Sheriff 1978-1996. He was dedicated to these jobs and his service to the people of Sabine Parish. He was known to be on hand for any events that involved crime or danger. He is remembered for attending funerals to support and comfort families in their time of grief as well as paying visits to people’s homes to inform them of a death of a family member.
Alfice served as President of “Sheriffs for Better Law Enforcement.” President of the Northwest Louisiana Sherrif’s Planning District. Among other law enforcement training he attended was “Criminal Training, Investigation and Detection” from the Institute of Chicago. He worked security for NSU during his college years. During his tenure as Sheriff the “Dare Program” was established and funded to directly instruct the youth of Sabine Parish of the dangers of drugs and drug activity. Likewise, he led the building and implementation of The Sabine Detention Center to house inmates in a safe and secure facility locally. He was elected Constable in Ward 4 in Sabine Parish during his career in law enforcement. One of his favorite times during his career was the period he was able to work with former Sheriff T. M. “Pappy” Phillips. Alfice’s attitude toward the job reflected Sherif Phillips’ attitude as they both truly loved people and were always willing to help and be of service as public servants.
His civic service regularly extended into the community where he served as Vice-President of the Sabine Council on Aging. He served as the President of the Negreet High School Booster C and helped to ensure they had a baseball field for the school athletes. He instituted the ”Neighborhood Watch” Program for community support to prevent crime.
During Alfice’s later years, he was employed with Warren Meadows Funeral Home helping provide for the needs of the families they served. This position was a natural fit for him, as he had spent much of his life providing service and protection to the people he loved in the area. He seemed to know everyone, as they did him and welcomed their time together.
It was said that he lived a full and warm life filled with kindness. His life reflects the good neighbor, friend and public servant that influenced Sabine Parish to grow.
He will be recognized with a Posthumous Award by the Sabine Hall of Fame at their annual banquet on March 25, at the Many VFW Hall at 1738 San Antonio Ave. at 6:30 p.m.
Banquet tickets are available at Nichols, the Office of Sen. Alan Seabaugh, 515 S. Capitol in Many; or from Robert Gentry, (318) 332-8653; Martha Henderson, (318) 294-3362; or Pete Abington’s office, (318) 2564344. All table requests please text or call Laurie Gentry at (318) 332-7873.