West Chicago race to honor fallen police officer

West Chicago's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 85 will partner with West Chicago Park District to honor the memory of a police officer who gave his life in the line of duty 21 years ago.

Michael Browning, a 1987 graduate of West Chicago Community High School, pursued his dream of becoming a police officer in his hometown by attending the College of DuPage, where he majored in criminal justice. He joined the West Chicago Police Department as a cadet in 1988 and held that position until Aug. 25, 1991, when he took the oath to become a full-time police officer.

Less than a year later, on April 20, 1992, Browning responded to the scene of a crime in progress at a local car dealership and was killed in the line of duty.

The dedication of Michael Browning Way at the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Route 59 in 2007 brought family, friends, fellow officers and elected officials to the unveiling of a street sign that memorializes his service to the community, and a scholarship fund was established in his name.

The first Michael Browning Memorial Scholarship Run to Remember, scheduled on Saturday, April 20, marks the anniversary of his death and will support the scholarship fund that assists students pursuing a career in criminal justice. All proceeds will go toward the fund.

The Michael Browning Memorial Scholarship Run to Remember 5K run/walk begins and ends at Turner Elementary School, 750 Ingalton St., West Chicago.

The course circles along several streets, including National Street, Arbor Avenue, Hawthorne Street, Washington Street and Fremont Street.

Trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each of six age categories. Runners' times will be taken at the mile markers and results will be posted after the race.

Registration for the race may be completed online at we-goparks.org or racetime.info. The race fee is $25 for each preregistered runner/walker and $18 for each additional runner/walker in the same household. Race-day registration is $30 for each participant.

“We will never forget the sacrifice made by Officer Browning to the community he so loved, and wish to honor him through this Run to Remember and through the money it will raise for his scholarship fund,” Detective Robbi Peterson said.