by Staff Writer | August 30, 2025
After more than two decades of dedicated service, Lieutenant Anthony Brown has retired from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, closing a chapter defined by leadership, mentorship, and unwavering professionalism at the Clarence N. Stevenson Unit in Cuero, Texas.
Brown began his career in September 2004 at the academy and was assigned to the Stevenson Unit just one month later. Over the next 21 years, he rose steadily through the ranks—from Correctional Officer II to CO V, then Sergeant in 2014, and finally Lieutenant in 2022. His journey was shaped not only by hard work but by the example set early on by his first sergeant, L. Hernandez.
“When I first started, my sergeant was L. Hernandez,” Brown recalled. “He eventually moved up the ladder, and I always tried to model myself after him. You could say he was a mentor.”
“He showed me what leadership looked like, and I carried that with me throughout my career,” Brown added.
The Stevenson Unit itself is a unique facility within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system. Opened in 1994 and spread across 464 acres, it houses over 1,300 male inmates in minimum to medium custody levels. Beyond its security operations, the unit is known for its modular furniture factory, agricultural programs, and vocational training in trades like plumbing and electrical work. It also hosts faith-based dorms and chaplaincy services, reflecting a broader commitment to structure, discipline, and rehabilitation.
In recognition of his retirement, the Stevenson Unit staff presented Brown with a commemorative key—a symbol of the respect and admiration he earned over the years.
As he steps away from the uniform, Brown leaves behind more than a title. The values he lived by—mentorship, professionalism, and quiet strength—continue to shape the culture and character of the Stevenson Unit.