Bonham -- The Friends of Sam Rayburn presented Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston with the H.G. Dulaney Public Service Award at a ceremony in his honor on Thursday, September 15. The award recognizes individuals who honor the legacy of Speaker Sam Rayburn as servant leaders, giving of their time, energy and expertise in service to the community.
Introduced by Friends of Sam Rayburn President Allen Sanderson, Chief Bankston is deserving of the award because he embodies the traits of a servant leader, someone who leads not for his own benefit, but for those he serves, bringing people from all walks of life together, and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed. “His whole career is to serve this community and make Bonham a little bit better for us to call home,” explained Sanderson.
A graduate of Bonham High School, Chief Bankston began working at the Bonham Police Department in 1973. He briefly worked for Fannin and Hunt counties before returning to the Bonham P.D. in 1979, serving as Chief of Police for the last thirty-two years. In addition to his service on the police force, Chief Bankston served thirty years with the Bonham Volunteer Fire Department. He was also an original organizing committee member for CASA of Fannin County, serving on the Board of Directors for three years.
Chief Bankston currently serves on the Fannin County Family Crisis Center Board, Texoma Police Academy Advisory Committee, the Texoma Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, Substance Abuse Council of Texoma, and is the Service Representative for Salvation Army of Fannin County.
Sanderson specifically referenced Chief Bankston’s service with the Salvation Army saying, “He comes into contact with all sorts of people in his job, and sees other types of people in his Salvation Army service,” showing how much Bankston “cares for people and cares for this city.”
In accepting the award, Chief Bankston stated, “I want to set the record straight, no, this is not my retirement party.” He continued by saying that receiving the award was a humbling experience and he sees his service as a calling. “I believe I’ve had the privilege of God letting me have and do for Bonham what I’ve been able to do,” remarked Bankston.
Chief Bankston was quick to recognize those who have helped him along the way, “I’ve had the greatest people to work with that a person could even imagine. I’ve never had anything but support from my family and the community has done nothing but treat me well. I just say thank you all very much.”
In addition to the Dulaney Award, Chief Bankston was also presented a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Building by Kathleen Conner, Representative from Congressman John Ratcliffe’s office.
State Senator Bob Hall also recognized Chief Bankston’s accomplishments in a resolution that celebrated his four decades of contributions “to the safety and well being of his fellow citizens.”
Sanderson concluded the ceremony by asking the crowd to remember Sam Rayburn and what he stood for, remembering that even as times change, we always need more leaders who follow Speaker Rayburn’s example of service.