15th Annual Surviving and Thriving Luncheon

Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck On The Freeway In North Bryan

A pedestrian on the freeway in north Bryan was struck and killed early this morning (September 4). Bryan police reports this happened around five a.m. in the northbound lanes just north of the Highway 21 overpass. The victim’s name has not been released. A BPD news release says investigators are still attempting to learn why the victim was there. There is no evidence that the person was just walking down the side of the highway. And they are not associated with a vehicle on the scene that might have had car trouble or had a flat tire. Northbound lanes of the freeway were closed for about five hours while BPD’s traffic and crime scene units and members of the criminal investigations division were on the scene. The BPD news release also stated that the driver of the vehicle remained on scene and has been cooperative with the investigation.

City Of Bryan’s Interim Police Chief Is Named Permanent Chief

The city of Bryan’s interim police chief now has the job on a permanent basis. Dean Swartzlander will be sworn in Friday afternoon (September 6) at 3 p.m. at Bryan municipal court. The 27 year BPD officer became interim chief June 8th, following the retirement of Eric Buske. News release from the Bryan police department: On Friday, September 6th, 2024, at 3:00 pm., The Bryan Police Department will promote Interim Chief Dean Swartzlander to the rank of Chief of Police. He will be sworn in by the City Secretary, Mary Lynn Stratta in the Secondary Courtroom of the Bryan Municipal Court building, 401 S Tabor Rd. Bryan, TX. 77803. Interim Chief Dean Swartzlander is a 27-year veteran of the Bryan Police Department. Swartzlander started his career on patrol in August 1997 where he served for four years. During that time, Swartzlander was assigned K9 “Ranger” who was a drug detection dog on patrol. In 2001 Swartzlander transferred to the newly formed K9 Unit and was given a new partner “Rudi” who was trained in drug detection, article recovery, detention and apprehension. In 2008 Swartzlander was promoted to Sergeant where he supervised patrol and K9. “Rudi” retired in 2009. In 2009, Swartzlander transferred to the Training and Recruiting Unit, where he worked until 2014. In 2014, he was promoted to Lieutenant over Support Services. Swartzlander was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the Bryan Police Department Police Academy which graduated its first class on November 15, 2018. In 2020, Swartzlander was promoted to Assistant Chief. Swartzlander has served as the Interim Chief of Police for the Bryan Police Department since June 8th, 2024. Swartzlander has received one of the Department’s highest recognitions more than once when he was awarded Officer of the Year in 2000 and Supervisor of the Year in 2009 and again in 2011. Swartzlander has received recognition for his exceptional work and service to the community: * 1999 – Departmental Citation for his work on Church burglaries * 2000 – Departmental Citation for responding to a call where he attempted to revive a child who later perished. * 2003 – Metal of Valor for the Robbery at Western Union * 2003 – Named Officer of the Year by the Texas Municipal Police Officers’ Association * 2004 – Received proclamation from Mayor Watson for courage in the line of duty * 2005 – Received VFW Law Enforcement Gold Medal Award * 2006 – Medal of Valor for the Taqueria Arandes Robbery * 2009 – Community Service Citation K9 demonstration/presentation * 2009 – Police Commendation for Armed Robbery at Palasota Grocery * 2023 – Class 285 graduate of the FBI National Academy

Bryan/College Station Sister Cities Organization To Enter Its Fourth Agreement

The Bryan/College Station Sister Cities organization is entering its fourth agreement. College Station city councilman Dennis Maloney announced at the end of the council’s last meeting, of the ceremony with officials of Toruń, Poland. Click below to hear comments from Dennis Maloney during the August 22, 2024 College Station city council meeting.   The ceremony, this Friday (September 6) at 2:30 p.m. in the rotunda of the Bush Library and Museum, is also scheduled to have the signing of a letter of intent between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, which is Poland’s regional government that includes Toruń. Bryan/College Station Sister Cities also has agreements with Bastogne Belgium, Greifswald Germany, and Salamanca Mexico. According to the organization’s website, their purpose “is to facilitate mutual cultural understanding, education, relationships and technical and economic development exchange. Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation—one individual, one community at a time.”