Brownwood Police Department celebrated 20 years of law enforcement as Detective Larry Owings retired on Wednesday.

Owings and his wife Michelle were treated to a video of memories from Owings’ career as well as comments from fellow officers at a reception thrown in their honor.  Friends, family and Brown County law enforcement officers and employees were present for the occasion.

Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley recounted Owings’ history in law enforcement with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and then Brownwood Police Department in 1993.  Corley stated that Owings has been a great asset to the department, best known as a detective but also known as the department “computer guru.”

“Larry testified on a child pornography case in 1991 on computer forensics,” said Corley who pointed out that computer forensics were very new to testimonies in the area at that time.  “The suspect was found guilty and was sent to prison.”  He explained that Owings’ testimony was key to the prosecution.

Corley stated that Owings’ employee file is thick, that he worked from 1993 on patrol and eventually became a detective, left the department in 2002 to “join the private world” until 2005 when he returned to BPD until today.  Corley stated that Owings was a good officer.

“I appreciate what you have done for this police department and the community,” said Corley.  “You will be hard to replace.  20 years is a long time and I appreciate you.”

Family and friends spoke of Owings’ career both at the reception and on the video presentation.  They expressed how much he will be missed and what a good friend and officer he is.  They offered good wishes in retirement and that Owings find success in goat farming.  Another stated that Owings was a “hell of a cop” and that he was proud to serve with him.

Owings stated that he appreciated the reception and all of his friends’ comments but that it was the remaining officers that needed to be recognized.

“I appreciate the support of friends and family.  A lot has happened in the last 20 years, it feels like more than 20 years,” Owings joked.  “We should be recognizing the ones that are still here, they are still fighting the good fight.”

Click the photo gallery below for pictures from the reception. Pictured at top is Owings accepting a retirement recongnition from Brownwood Police Chief Mike Corley.

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