Featured Berean

Most people hope that when they start work at the bottom of the ladder they will soon find their way to a career at the top. While serving the town of Berea, Chief of Police, Ray Brandenburg has done just so.

Brandenburg's family moved to Berea when he was eight years old. Since then he has watched the town grow and progress over the years. When not at work, Brandenburg enjoys basketball, golf, and collecting Police patches. Part of his collection can be seen on the walls of the police station. He is married to Jane Brandenburg, the finance director at Silver Creek elementary school. Together they have two children Tammy Deboard, and Tina Carter.

In January of 1968 Brandenburg became a patrol officer for the Berea police department. He was soon promoted to Sergeant in 1970. Five years later, in 1975, Brandenburg became the assistant police chief. By July of 1985, Brandenburg had worked his way to the top and became the Chief of police where he is still serving Berea today.

While working for the police in Berea, he has had the wonderful opportunity to see businesses, streets and the city as a whole grow and progress. He recognizes that "Berea is a progressive minded town and the people working for the town have the best intentions of helping it succeed."

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Brandenburg reflects, "I enjoy it. I like what I'm doing. We've [Berea] got great officers and we try to do the best for Berea." He has had the privilege to work with many different people in the community, and be involved in numerous activities while at his job with the Police Department.

He considers the DARE program, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, to be one of the greatest accomplishments that he has been a part of. The program sends police officers into the local classrooms to educate Berea's youth on how to say no to drugs, resist peer pressure, and learn the facts about substance abuse. Brandenburg has seen great promise and results from the program. He appreciates the local support that has helped make the program a success.

Brandenburg enjoys what he does and enjoys working with people. He sees each day as an adventure and never knows what to expect. He explains, "It's great to help people in any way possible; and I know they wouldn't be coming to me if they didn't need my help."

- Written by Hannah Billings

UPDATE!!

After this article was finished Chief Brandenburg announced his official retirement effective in August. We would like to thank the Chief for all his years of faithful service and wish him and Mrs. Brandenburg the very best in this new chapter of their lives.