Bonham, Texas -- He was once the youngest county sheriff in Texas, but for the past 39 years he's been Bonham Police Chief.
For Chief Mike Bankston, the culmination of a 50-year tour of duty in law enforcement and the pay period ending March 28 will coincide. The man who has held the reins of Bonham Police Department for almost four decades will take off the badge.
Bankston always knew his life's work would be in law enforcement. During his early years, he had dreamed of being a highway patrol officer, but at that time DPS required 20/20 vision. With 20/40 vision, Bankston was out of luck. He checked with Dallas Police Department only to learn they had the same stringent vision requirement.
Bankston's career with Bonham Police Department began April 15, 1973 when he was hired by Bonham Police Chief Steve McFadden. In those days, patrolmen hired on at a whopping $420 per month. Equipment consisted of a pistol the patrolman had to buy himself, a baton and a set of handcuffs.
Contrast that with today's Bonham Police Department that utilizes drones and a Throwbot -- a micro-robot that can be thrown into dangerous situations and enable operators to obtain instantaneous video and audio reconnaissance. Every police car can be tracked by GPS and every car comes equipped with a computer.
Today, a new patrolman hires on at approximately $49,000 a year and the gear includes body cameras, Tasers, and Narcan to reverse an opioid overdose.
Officer Bankston served as a patrolman from April 15, 1973 until September 15, 1976, when he was appointed as Juvenile Probation Officer.
On April 15, 1978, Bankston was appointed as Fannin County Sheriff. At the ripe old age of 26, he was the youngest county sheriff in Texas.
Bankston served as sheriff until November 20, 1978. In the general election Bankston won by three votes, only to eventually lose the recount by five votes.
"God took care of me," Bankston says now. "Losing that election was the best thing that could have happened to me."
Returning to work for Bonham Police Department, Bankston quickly rose through the ranks. When Bonham Police Chief Jim Bunch retired, Bonham City Manager Tommy Taylor appointed Bankston on May 1, 1984 to be Bonham Police Chief.
He took the position with a lofty goal.
"I wanted Bonham Police Department to be the very best - the most professional department anywhere," Bankston remarks. "I wanted our community to take pride in our police department."
Bankston has worn several hats for the City of Bonham; he was placed over the fire department as Director of Public Safety from 1991 thru 2001.
How has policing changed during the past 50 years?
"Being a policeman now is more complex and detailed," Bankston says. "With today's society, it is more challenging. And one of a police chief's biggest challenges is recruiting qualified officers."
With larger cities offering more money, how does a town the size of Bonham retain good policemen?
"You have to want to have an investment in the community," explains Bankston. "I'm fortunate to have some police officers who have worked here with me for 15 years. For the last three years, I couldn't have made it without Natalie," he says, referring to Natalie Massey, the Police Chief Secretary. "Integrity means a lot to me. I believe in Protect and Serve, but I believe in Protect and Serve with integrity."
Bankston is also quick to credit a long line of city leaders.
"I have worked for 10 city managers. I've been very fortunate to have a good relationship with them and they have been very supportive of Bonham Police Department," Bankston acknowledged.
The feeling is mutual.
"It is remarkable that Chief Bankston would invest 50 years of his life in the role of a public servant," says Bonham City Manager Sean Pate. "It is a special quality to see his sheer loyalty to the citizens of Bonham."
As Bankston prepares to trade days sitting behind a desk for afternoons sitting on a pool bank watching his mama cows, he reflects on a career of service to his community.
"I would like to think that I served my tenure in a Christian manner and I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else," offers Bankston. "I was blessed to be in Bonham. God will put you where he wants you to be."
Editor's note: Chief Bankston's retirement party is set for 4:00 p.m. March 23, 2023 at Roy V. Floyd Community Center, located at 1100 West 5th Street in Bonham, Texas 75418.