Remembering Police Chief Doug Browning

Former Central Police Chief Doug Browning, 73, died Tuesday after a bout with leukemia.  After 34 years in the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, where he rose to the rank of captain, Browning was appointed in 2005 as the first police chief of the new City of Central.  He won election to the post shortly thereafter and served until 2014.

His obituary said, “Doug is now and forever resting in the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He is walking/dancing on “streets of gold” in his new cowboy boots…without a brace!”

Chief Browning was born Aug. 18, 1942 in Greenwell Springs, now part of the City of Central.  He was an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church.

He graduated from Central High School in 1960 and was always a public servant. During his tenure in the Sheriff’s office, he led in the planning, development and operation of the Central sub-station Communication Center. After retirement, he worked part-time for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System as a security dispatch officer,.

Chief Browning was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Ezra Browning and Fannie Richard Browning.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Betty “Cooky” Chemin Browning, son Barry Douglas Browning, stepson Jerry G. Branch, step-daughter Cynthia B. Hollis (Paul), and a granddaughter, Erin Rae Hollis.

He is also survived by his siblings, Roxie Lippert (Bob), Maurice Browning (Sharon), Virginia Womack (Warren), Sylvia Carroll (Doug), Nancy Adams (Tommy), Kenneth Browning (Shirley), Ethel Jenkins and Brenda Jenkins (Charlie) and innumerable nieces and nephews.

The family expressed their gratitude to the nurses and staff at BRGH Bluebonnet and Mid-City locations and all of the devoted medical personnel who treated, supported and loved Doug and his family through his journey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Pallbearers will be Maurice Browning, Ken Browning, L.H. Pourciau, Jerry Branch, Rusty Chemin, and Louis Chemin III. Honorary pallbearer is Carson Bueto. Services will be by Revs. Huey Moak and Tony Davis.