Oh, you’re referring to the "Parking Brake" (also called E-Brake, Emergency Brake)

The type of Parking Brake you described is commonly found on Pickup trucks and SUVs. Its also used on some Cars, mostly with column shifters. My Expedition has that type of Parking Brake. To apply it, you depress the small Parking Brake pedal next to the foot well panel. To release it, there is a Parking Brake Release handle just above the PB pedal (mounted at the bottom of the dash knee panel) You pull back on that handle, and the Parking Brake is released. While the Parking Brake is engaged, a warning light is illuminated in the instrument cluster to let the driver know the E-Brake is engaged.

Same basic principle applies to all other vehicles.