Memorial: Slain officer gets his due
Follow Up
Oakland County MI May 6 2020
It’s been 46 years since security guard James C. Browning was murdered at the former Northland Shopping Center in Southfield. Now, thanks to the efforts of a law enforcement officer from Oakland County, Browning’s name has, at long last, been added to a memorial list of those killed in the line of duty.
Browning, 29, was shot to death May 1, 1974 after approaching a suspicious vehicle in the shopping center’s parking lot. Recently, Ken Casida came across Browning’s story in a decades-old edition of The Daily Tribune, based in Royal Oak. He said he was touched by what he read — and was disappointed to find that the officer wasn’t included on any law enforcement recognition sites. Casida then reached out to The Oakland Press for help.
A news story published last week about Casida’s efforts to get Browning’s memory honored grabbed attention from administrators of Private Officer International, which has since added Browning’s name to its “Officer Down” page. The organization is also planning a story on Browning’s murder for its upcoming television docu-series and magazine.
Private Officer International was founded in 2004 by Richard A McCann, 40-year law enforcement and private security veteran.
Casida, who has no personal connection to Browning and was just a toddler when the murder happened, was quite pleased to hear about Private Officer International recognizing the officer and his ultimate sacrifice.
“I believe that Officer James C. Browning is finally getting the recognition he deserves,” Casida said. “I hope his family and friends see this. This brings Officer Browning a step closer to being remembered and honored in Lansing at the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.”
Casida said he’s confident Browning is eligible for inclusion on Lansing’s MLEOM, based on the Private Security Business and Security Alarm Act. PA 330 which licenses, regulates and monitors private security agencies and staff.
