DWAYNE BROWN 2025
‘TOP COP’ DWAYNE BROWN MAKES A DIFFERENCE ON THE STREETS OF WELLINGTON EVERY DAY
STORY BY MIKE MAY | PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
Every law enforcement agency needs a Dwayne Brown. Fortunately for Wellington, Brown works for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and he’s often seen patrolling Wellington. The daily physical presence of Brown helps keep Wellington such a great place to live, work and play. Brown’s affiliation with the PBSO started in July 1998 as a drill instructor with the Eagle Academy in Belle Glade. “I worked with at-risk youth. We worked on getting their lives going in the right direction,” said Brown, now 61. “We used exercise, physical training and various drills to get their attention. It worked. Nowadays, many of those individuals see me, and they thank me for helping them.” In 2003, Brown became a sworn deputy. For more than 20 years, he has served the residents of Palm Beach County with distinction. In addition to patrolling Wellington, he is a frequent volunteer at many community events and is involved with the Wellington Rotary. His years of service just recently got him recognized as Wellington’s “Top Cop” for 2025. In addition to his patrols, he makes appearances at schools. “At the elementary and middle schools, the kids love to meet the cops,” said Brown, who feels he makes the biggest difference in his job with children. “Kids like coming up to me to tell me what they are doing. All kids need guidance and love.” Brown truly feels his presence in Wellington is important. “I want to make a positive difference in the lives of kids and their families. I like to bring peace to a crisis,” said Brown, who once worked as a SWAT negotiator. The foundation of Brown’s success can be traced to his six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. After boot camp, he traveled the world to protect American freedoms at home. “I was in Europe six times, in Africa six times and based on three different naval ships,” said Brown, who served from 1982 to 1988. He rose to the rank of corporal, and Brown’s military experience was filled with positive memories. “I enjoyed my time as a U.S. Marine,” he said. 26 September 2025 | WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Brown’s transition to the PBSO would never have happened had it not been for a job he took. “Pratt & Whitney was advertising for somebody to work on its jet engine program who had a military background. I felt that I was qualified,” Brown recalled. “I applied for the job.” That brought him to Palm Beach County, and he worked on a variety of military jet engines. Unfortunately, after a few years, those military contracts were not renewed, which meant it was time for Brown to find a new professional opportunity. “I had a wife and children at home, plus a mortgage,” Brown said. “I needed a new job.” He initially did some substitute teaching, before he saw an ad for a PBSO position. As they say, the rest is history. “In my job, every day is different,” said Brown, who has drawn his gun on many occasions, but only pulled the trigger once. When he’s not on patrol, Brown is busy helping his family run a foundation focused on sarcoma cancer awareness in memory of his late wife, Juliet, who died of sarcoma cancer. “In 2021, we started the Julie B. Foundation,” Brown said. “Over the last four years, with the support of generous donors, we have been able to award scholarships to individuals who have been impacted by cancer, in addition to providing care packages to hospitalized cancer patients during the holidays.” Brown’s 27-year-old daughter Jaelyn leads the foundation. Learn more at www.thejuliebfoundation.org. In his spare time, Brown likes to exercise and work on his vehicles. “I have a 2017 convertible Corvette. It’s a dark charcoal color with a red interior. I also have a 1987 silver champagne-like coupe Corvette and a Harley-Davidson Ultra Glide motorcycle,” Brown said. “I drive them on sunny weekend days. They are a stress reliever.” Brown is also a fan of opera, and he plays the saxophone. While Brown has been living in Palm Beach County since the 1980s, he grew up in Sarasota. “In high school, I played in the band in the fall, played basketball in the winter and I was a designated hitter on the baseball team in the spring,” Brown said.