Pioneers in Law Enforcement
“Blaze A Trail”
Some people
are always looking for
the well-worn path that will lead to success,
fulfillment and happiness.
Maybe there is no path
to where you want to go.
Paths, like people,
are unique.
Paths which have led others to
their mountain tops,
may have been blazed by those people.
Homer J. Brown
Sergeant Milwaukee Police Department
27 years of services from 1969 to 1997
Sgt. Brown started his career at District #5 and worked patrol for 14 years. He was promoted in 1984 to Sergeant and worked at District #7, at the city jail, and working the last nine years in the traffic section.
William S. Brunner
Deputy Sheriff II
26½ years of service from 1956 to 1982
Deputy Brunner worked in various areas of the Sheriff’s Department, the County jail, as a process server, prisoner conveyance, intake desk, and as a Court Bailiff. Deputy Brunner was the second black to be hired by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department. Working for the Sheriff’s Department enabled him to get his Associate’s Degree from Marquette University.
Joseph L. Butts
Deputy Sheriff Detective
28½ years of service from 1963 to 1991
Detective Butts worked for the Sheriff’s Department in the courts, patrol, cycle, and the detective bureau. He was the 1st black to be assigned regular squad patrol duties in several South Suburban communities of Milwaukee County. Butts also was the 1st black to be assigned to undercover drug investigation duties in suburban communities. He conducted internal investigation, worked organized crimes unit and investigated crimes throughout Milwaukee County. Detective Butts also wrote a book about his experiences titled, “Crime & Other Critical Social Ills as Seen Behind the Badge”.
Janet T. Carter
Police Woman Officer Milwaukee P. D.
8 years of service from 1969 to 1977
Ms. Carter was assigned to the youth aid bureau and worked in the Vice Squad. She worked special security namely; security for Coretta Scott King, wife of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She was the first women to take the sergeant’s examination on the Milwaukee Police Department and also worked at District #7.
Felmers D. Chaney
Sergeant Milwaukee P.D.
36 years of service from 1947 to 1983
Sergeant Chaney worked at the 1st District, youth aid division, and the 5# District. After leaving the police department he continued to fight for injustice through the NAACP in the city of Milwaukee. He served as the Milwaukee Chapter president for many years.
Francis Burdette Estrada
Captain Milwaukee County Sheriff Dept.
27 years of service from 1963 to 1990
Estrada was the 1st black to enter the Milwaukee Police Department through the Police Aid Program. He was also the 1st black to attain the rank of Captain in the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department.