Mr. Vernell Brown Jr.

Vernell Brown, Jr., a distinguished and longtime officer of the New Orleans Police Department passed away on Friday, July 17, 2015, at the age of 47. He was a resident of Marrero, Louisiana. Vernell was born October 20, 1967, in New Orleans, Louisiana to Vernell Brown and the late Lula Mae Brown.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army. He attended Grambling State University, where he was a member of the band. Vernell was a member of Omega Psi Phi, and also an alumnus of the Grambling State University 100 Marching Band. He was an active Mason and a member of the Big Easy Motorcycle Club.

Vernell joined the New Orleans Police Department in February 1998. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to the Second District. For the majority of his career, he was assigned to the Traffic Division. His most recent assignment was the Sixth District. He was a member of BOP, FOP and PANO.

He is preceded in death by his mother Lula Mae Brown. Vernell is survived by his father, Vernell Brown, Sr.; his daughters, Raven Turner (Christopher Bettis) and Jana Lilly; his sons Vernell Brown, III, Aireon Brown, Ar’kel Brown and Colin Brown; his grandchildren, De’Monte Brown, Christopher Bettis Jr., King Bettis and Zane Bettis. Vernell is also survived by his sisters, Chanell Brown (Joseph), Tracy Ketchens and Jenell Brown; and his brothers Rothell Johnson, Cornell Brown (Zola), and Furnell Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2015, at the Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church, 5600 Read Boulevard in New Orleans. A Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 7:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

For those so desiring, memorials in honor of Vernell Brown, Jr. may be made to the National Domestic Violence Hotline EIN 75-1658287, PO Box 161810, Austin, Texas 78716.