During a Special Presentation at the Council Meeting on July 26, Mayor Jeff Porter, with the help of Colonel Scott Kennedy and Captain Raymond DeJohn, thanked Police Chaplain Chauncey Brown for his dedicated service to the Homestead Police Department and the greater Homestead community during the past two-plus years. He began serving as the department’s chaplain in March 2015.
As Kennedy and DeJohn spoke, each expressed a heartfelt regard for Brown, noting how much his presence would be missed in Homestead.
Kennedy, who began the presentation, said, “He’s been a chaplain for our police department for a while now, and I can attest to the fact that Chaplain Brown has had quite the impact in the time he’s been with [us],” emphasizing his positive influence reached beyond the police department and into the wider community.
“We’re here to honor someone that’s a member of our family — our department — who, sadly, is leaving us,” DeJohn stated. “Chaplain Brown has served as an instrument for the department as far as being there for families and citizens in times of tragedy. He’s been here for officers within our department for counsel, and to be there as some sort of support — both spiritually, and, as a friend.”
DeJohn continued, “[Chaplain Brown] has been instrumental in helping us keep a pulse on what the community needs and what it wants. And for that, I know that Chief [Rolle] is forever grateful, as well as the command staff and the rest of the police department.”
DeJohn presented Brown with a plaque and read its inscription: “For your prayers and service to our police department as our police chaplain. For being the steady voice in a storm, for exhibiting courage and compassion during each crisis, with uncompromising integrity and competence. For your friendship, meekness, hard work, professionalism and for the endless hours of service to the Homestead community and our officers. You will always have a place here, and remember, you made a difference.”
Brown, thanking the Mayor, Kennedy and DeJohn, said, “It’s been an awesome time with the City of Homestead, being a part of this community. It’s hard to leave. To all the officers, thank you guys, for just being top-notch officers, and to SOS (Start Off Smart) for allowing me to come and work with you.”
Brown, explaining why serving as chaplain for the Homestead Police Department was very rewarding, said, “It allowed me the chance to pray for and minister to those who walk out each day to make Homestead a great place to live. When officers would call me or come and find me and just want to sit and talk about how things were going in their lives and their families’ lives. It gave me a chance to know them and their families at a deeper level. They have truly become a permanent part of my life and have made me love what I do even more, especially serving those who run to trouble and danger, when many of us have the chance to run away [from it].”
He continued, “Homestead is a great place. Sometimes you leave a place when it’s doing bad, but I’m leaving Homestead when it’s in one of the greatest times of its life [as a city]. I believe that for Homestead, the best days are still yet to come.”
A native of Winter Haven, Fla., Brown’s ministry spans more than 20 years. He began his postsecondary education at Polk College, majoring in criminal justice. Afterward, he entered the Florida Theology Seminary and International Theological Seminary in Lakeland, Fla. Brown graduated from Boston University's School of Theology. After serving for four and a half years as pastor of Greater Williams Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, in Homestead, Brown is beginning a new call as pastor of Majestic Life Church in Orlando.