02/27/2026
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As part of our ongoing 75-year celebration, we are pleased to introduce our second featured past chief, Chief Eugene Brown. Chief Brown served the residents of Liberty Township from many years as a firefighter and assumed command for 14 years from 1964 to 1978. He played a pivotal role in the fire department's transition from red to yellow truck color schemes with the arrival of the department's second engine, the 1973 Ward Lafrance. In the accompanying photograph, Chief Brown is seen on the left, showcasing the new apparatus to the township trustees.
When not dedicating time to the firehouse, Chief Brown could be found at the hardware store in Benton Ridge before it closed, after which he went on to work for Parker Lumber. Chief Brown was known for his hands-on leadership style and unwavering commitment to public safety. Notably, during a successful basketball season at Liberty-Benton High School, Chief Brown firmly enforced the gymnasium's capacity, even intervening to prevent extra attendees from sitting on the stairs.
Chief Brown's legacy serves as a prime example of a robust fire prevention program, which the LTFD members continue to uphold to this day. The impact of Chief Brown's leadership is further evident in the fact that two of his three sons, Tom and Dave, followed in his footsteps to become Liberty Township firefighters, as did his grandson, current LTFD firefighter Joey Brown.
The citizens of Liberty Township owe a great debt of gratitude to Chief Eugene Brown for laying the foundation in the department's early years.
