Brad was born in Houston, Texas on August 27, 1950 to Chester Lee Mills Jr, a chemical engineer for Rice Growers Association, and Lottie Virginia Pickle, a wonderful housewife and mother.
Brad is preceded in death by his mother and father, his only sister Lou, and previous wife Nancy Medler (Livingston). He is survived by his wife Cindy Lou Mills, his daughter Dr. Dawn Sorenson, MD (husband Steve Sorenson); son Michael Medler, daughter Cassandra Hunter (husband Chris Perry), and son Gary Hunter Jr. Four grandchildren Ava Sorenson, Thomas Sorenson, Matthew Perry, and Hunter Perry, as well as many close friends and family, will miss Brad immensely.
Brad graduated from South Houston High School in 1969. He wore jersey # 75 as a defensive tackle in both his junior and senior year. His career in law enforcement began in Houston, graduating from the Houston Police Academy, Class 49, in July 1971. His career began as a patrol officer, Badge 862. He rose in rank and experience and became a police academy instructor. His ability to read people in hostage and civil encounters led him to become part of the hostage negotiation and SWAT team for seven years.
Brad was responsible for building the first equipped mobile hostage command van for the Houston Police Department in 1985. Between 1982-1985, he oversaw the creation of sniper training videos.
After moving to San Antonio in 1988, he entered the private security sector holding a manager’s license under the Texas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies. Brad trained officers to perform dignitary protection with federal and state law enforcement. Brad worked security for Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, former Governor of Texas, John Connally’s wife Nellie, and companies such as General Motors, and many more.
In 1991 Brad joined Northside Independent School District (NISD) as a patrol officer. In February 1994 he was promoted to corporal, in 1996 he was promoted to Lieutenant, and later to Captain where he served as second in command of the department. Brad designed and wrote the first computer records management program for NISD police department in 1994. From 2011-2013 Brad was in the Planning and Facilities Department. He set up video surveillance for 116 campuses in the Northside ISD.
Brad spent 38 years 9 months as a police officer. He was exceptionally proud of this.
Brad also had a passion for auto racing and helped his best friend, Jim Morris, at San Antonio Speedway, in the #40 charger class, from 1989-1992. Brad’s expertise and call to service extended to the I-37 Raceway, where from 2008-2012, he would spend numerous days a week helping to prep and maintain the track, and to run weekly events. After the closing of that track, Brad worked at Cottonbowl Speedway from 2013-2015.
Brad had a laugh like no one else. He loved to make jokes, some, well maybe many, were a little dirty. Brad was a people person, and a jack of all trades, with so many talents. Frome electronics to computers, automotive, cooking, problem solving, and wood working, he could do it all. He was a problem solver and always gave good advice. He loved to cook for people, be it small or large crowds, and enjoyed a good bottle of wine. His hobbies included camping, traveling, and car racing. Brad loved his family, friends, and cats. Family was so important to Brad. He kept God close to his heart. He could recite the bible word for word. These talents and qualities shaped him to become a loving, caring, and understanding man with a servant heart.
Brad will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
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