Downey Police and Fire Foundation Recognitation
by Lorine Parks
“This is the biggest event of the year for us,” said Fire Chief Mark Gillispie. The occasion was the Recognition Luncheon for the Downey Police and Fire Department Memorial Trust Foundation, which meets yearly to honor their best and bravest.
Master of Ceremonies Phil Davis graciously thanked the Rotary Club of Downey for relinquishing the room for this important Downey tradition. Rotarians had three tables reserved just for them, in addition to club members who were sitting at tables representing additional affiliations.
The awards this year represented two men who have lived the spectrum of service and are about to retire, a Fire Captain and a Police Corporal.
First to speak was Fire Chief Gillispie, who heads a department of about 100 employees who provide a variety of comprehensive fire and life-safety services to the community of 113,607. Chief Gillispie recognized Captain Peter Browne, “a Downey boy from Downey High.” Moving up from fireman to engineer and in June 2013 to captain, Pete has organized training sessions and worked with youth, “in selfless dedication to others.”
“But why,” Chief Gillispie, went on, “in a department of dedicated men and why did I choose him?” He is a “24 hour man,” Gillispie concluded, “an all around firefighter – I present Captain Browne.”
The mission of the Downey Police Department is to preserve the peace and protect and serve all who live or work in, as well as those who travel through, our City, and in so doing, to make a meaningful contribution to the quality of life in our community. Police Chief Carl Charles, the tenth to serve in that office, took the podium to recognize Corporal Sean Penrose.
After graduating from Downey High, Sean went on to attend the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Academy, before coming to Downey. “He is always the first on the scene of robberies and burglaries,” said Chief Charles. “He’s in the right place at the right time.” In May, Corporal Penrose will retire after 34 years of service as a Downey policeman.
