Snellville's Longest-Serving Police Officer

Billy Wayne Brown, affectionately called by both his first and middle name by his fellow officers, is the longest-serving police officer on the Snellville Police force

Beginning as a communications officer with the Snellville Police Department in 1978, Brown went on to the academy to become a certified police officer in 1980.  Brown has served in Snellville ever since, through promotions to corporal, sergeant, and now as a lieutenant, supervising the day watch shift and answering calls. 

“By serving as long as he has, Wayne has obtained significant historical knowledge about our community and institutional knowledge that helps us carry out our responsibilities,” Police Chief Roy Whitehead said.

The years, Brown said, have been good ones. Serving through three police chiefs, four police department buildings, and numerous city officials, Brown said the heart of the city is constant.

"Even though it’s expanded, it’s still got that small-town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone,” he said. “The little old ladies of Snellville still make cakes, pies, and whole meals and bring them by [the station].”

Brown’s fellow police buddies say he’s not only the guy with tons of know-how, but that he also is a mentor and leader to them all.

“Someone like Wayne has a lot of knowledge to pass on to people if they just stop and listen,” Lt. T.I. Taylor said.  “He’s been in Snellville from when it was a little one-horse town to what it is now.”

This passion for policing and loyalty to his job runs in Brown’s blood. His father was also a police officer, serving for 32 years in the city of Atlanta. But, Brown wasn’t always certain about law enforcement. He briefly worked with a fire department before joining the police force. 

“I like being outside, and I like hands-on work," he said. "I doubt I’d ever have been doing anything in an office.”

With a wife, five children, and 10 grandchildren all living within the metropolitan area, Brown describes himself as a “family guy” who spends all the free time he can with his relatives, particularly his grandchildren. On weekends, he also trades police stories with his father over golf at Lake Hartwell.

Sometimes police work can hamper that family time, though.

“You may be about to sit down and eat a meal with your family and get to enjoy it, or you may get called away to leave,” Brown said.  “There are ups and downs to every job. You just try to remember the good ones, and let the other ones pass and forget about them.”

This easygoing attitude and unwavering dedication also stands out to his collegues. The say he’s willing to do anything to help, to do anything it takes.

“He has the kind of demeanor and temperament that can’t be taught,” Officer Linda Okonkwo said. “He doesn’t sweat the small stuff.”

His ability to make the best of a challenging job has gotten him this far. Thirty years have passed, and Brown is still holding tightly to his badge. Retirement is still off in the distance, he said.  

“I enjoy my job, and I enjoy getting out and helping people,” Brown said.  “I’ll stay here as long as I can, and as long as they’ll let me.”