YPD employee retires after 32 years

By Joe Gorman

jgorman@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Laura Brown’s dad was right.

Brown, who retired Friday after 321/2 years as a civilian employee in the police department, said her father told her to get a civil-service job because they are usually pretty secure.

So she took a test for a civilian job with the YPD and passed and stayed until her retirement, starting as a payroll clerk.

She worked for six different chiefs and was a secretary for 11 years to former chief Randall Wellington. She ended her career as a grant writer for the department.

Chief Robin Lees said during her time in that position, Brown was able to secure $18 million in state and federal funding for the department for items ranging from bulletproof vests to new police vehicles.

“She has been one of the most dependable and highly consistent employees I know of,” Lees said.

She was honored Friday by the department with a luncheon in the roll call room.

Also on hand was her husband, Tim, a former city police officer who retired a few years ago.

Brown said she plans on traveling during her retirement. She said she will miss her co-workers.

“These people _ what fun they are,” Brown said.