Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 85 and West Chicago’s Park District joined recently in a tribute to Michael Browning, whose passing 24 years ago was memorialized by a scholarship and street bearing his name.
Browning graduated from West Chicago Community High School in 1987 and followed his dream to become a hometown policeman, majoring in criminal justice at College of DuPage. After joining the West Chicago Police Department, he served as a full-time officer from 1988 until 1992, when he was killed in the line of duty while responding to an incident.
Today, Michael Browning Way stands at the junction of Routes 38 and 59 as a reminder of the young officer’s courage and service to his community.
Additionally, the Fourth Annual Michael Browning Memorial Scholarship Run to Remember 5k is slated for July 9 to support a fund established in his name. Both starting and ending at the West Chicago Park District ARC Center, 201 W. National St. in West Chicago, the course will take participants over a scenic path, and medals will be awarded to top runners in six age categories, beginning with 19 and under and ranging to 60 and over.
West Chicago also pays tribute to Officers George Riehm and Raymond Wilson, both also killed in the line of duty in 1921 and 1965, respectively.
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