The following is an edited version of the eulogy for former Police Superintendent Herman ‘Chucky’ Brown read at his recent service of thanksgiving. The eulogy was given by Divisional Commander for St Elizabeth, Supt Lanford Salmon.

We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of a father, husband, colleague, relative and friend, who touched our lives in so many different ways and left an indelible mark in our memories and in our hearts.

Herman Oliver Brown affectionately called “Chucky”, a true son of the Brompton soil, St Elizabeth, entered this world on November 15, 1947.  He was the last of seven children and the fourth son to parents Doris and David Brown. Both parents and two siblings pre-deceased him.

After completing his quest for education Herman Brown gained employment at the then St Elizabeth Public Works Department. Being an ambitious young man, he left for Kingston to seek a better way of life.

 With a desire for higher service and a steadfast decision to serve his country, he sat the entrance test of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and was successful, and an eager and likewise dedicated young man packed his ‘dulcimina’, boarded the Ferry and reported at the Port Royal Police Training School.

On July 4, 1967, he was enlisted and was issued with Regulation Number 695 and placed in Squad 5 where his tenure in the force began.

While in training he was very disciplined, always neat and clean. He was very obedient to orders and never failed to carry out instructions given. He, however, had his own challenges as he just could not get the “drill” right. He was never able to swing both arms in tune with the left-right march.

“Chucky” kept his black box close to him and would sit on his bed and guard his box carefully as it contained everything, his sugar, milk powder, his so-called ‘tough bun’, his cheese, and all his possessions, including his cleaning equipment. He would look so pitiful as if he had no mother or father if anyone ever tried to take stuff from his box.   

As a recruit in training back then, a trainee must salute the Commandant’s car, but for Chucky he just could not bring himself to salute this car, not because he did not want to, but because of his challenge to salute, he just could not get it right, his fingers kept spreading when they should be closed and his marching kept getting in the way, but he was determined to do his best.

After completion of training at Port Royal, he was initially posted to the St Catherine Division.  

During his tenure, he served the Divisions of Area 3 Headquarters, Clarendon, Manchester, Kingston Central, Kingston East, St Andrew North, Criminal Investigation Branch Headquarters, St Catherine and the St Elizabeth Division where he served on three different occasions.

He was willing to learn and as such was exposed to several courses, both locally and overseas. His dedication, discipline and hard work saw him rising through the ranks from Acting Corporal in 1967 through to Superintendent in 1999. He served the Jamaica Constabulary Force for just over 39 years.

During his tenure, his zeal and dedication was unsurpassed and as such he was the recipient of nine commendations and awards. He retired in August 2006.

After his retirement, he continued to contribute to the JCF as he was the president of the Court of Enquiry for the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth.

He spoke highly of several police personnel, but Deputy Superintendent Joseph Caine was “his right hand, his confidant and friend” and one could easily call him his “son”.

Herman shared his time and memories of the force and gave tips for sports, on crime and general policing.

He would follow up on every news item regarding the police and he was eagerly awaiting the announcements of the new commissioner as his favourite was also in the race and Joseph Caine was also drawn into a bet… but this wait was cut short.

Herman Oliver Brown, “Chucky” is best remembered by sworn and unsworn members alike as kind, jovial, caring, but strict. He loved to take care of his “police family” as he would call it. His fridge was always packed with goodies, drinks and biscuits and that was open for everyone, but with one rule as the exception “never touch his bun and cheese”.  He was also a lover of his tea and would be often heard calling out to the office attendant, “Miss Norma, “lend me a cup of tea”.

Whenever he goes abroad he would bring something for  everyone and he would  say, “Me tell mi wife fi shop fi the house, cause me haffi bring back something for my staff.” Each person would get a gift and along with it a warning “nuh mek them other one know” and each would leave feeling special not knowing that everybody else got something.

He always provided for the police whenever they went to pick him up and also when they worked at nights, supper was always on the house. He also had a nickname for everyone whether you are male or female, everyone was called “Cow thief or “Cuz” and whatever rank you were he would refer to you in the higher rank (example) a corporal would be called a sergeant).

Notwithstanding, he was also a strict superintendent when it came to his work. Whenever he was out of office, the staff must answer his phone and the radio promptly and make notes of his messages and this must be presented to him as soon as he stepped in the office and backed up by a verbal report on spot of what transpired during his absence. No one ever dared to fail in this regard as he or she would have to answer or account accordingly.

On March 14, 2017, he answered the call to yet a higher service where God himself is his commanding officer and his duties continues somewhere…somewhere in the beautiful isle in the land of the free where he lives anew …in the beautiful isle of somewhere.

And we who are alive and remain should console ourselves with the spirit of his determination and courage and continue to remind ourselves that death is a challenge…it tells us not to waste time … it tells us to tell each other “right now”  that we love them.

Herman is survived by his wife Sylvia, his children Devon, Delroy, Collis, Nicholas, Christopher, Sophia, Karen, Jeffrey, Marlon, Oral, and Adain, his siblings – Norma, Audrey, Henry and David; grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

To his wife Sylvia and the family, I say, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. He has the power to take care of all of you and bring peace and comfort to your hearts.