THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 3, 1996 TAG: 9512300117
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
You can trust Virginia State Police Sgt. Lawrence Brown with your life, but maybe you shouldn't give him your keys.
He's always misplacing his own things - sometimes his keys, sometimes his other items. Once it was his wallet. ``I get kidded a lot about losing stuff,'' says Brown, a Virginia Wesleyan College sociology major who joined the State Police 11 years ago. ``It's a big thing at work. I'm always getting teased.''
To that end, his Christmas gift from his secretary was a key chain that expands out and snaps back so he won't ever have to set his keys down somewhere where he might forget them.
A family man with two sons (one's a newborn), the Salem Lakes resident coaches youth basketball and football teams. He enjoys working with the young athletes and watching his own son play. ``I just love helping kids,'' he says.
Full name: Lawrence Wayne Brown.
Hometown: Gloucester.
What brought you to the Beach? Virginia Wesleyan College.
Birthdate: Nov. 26, 1960.
Occupation: Sergeant with the Virginia State Police.
Nickname: Uncle Lawrence.
Marital status: Married to my lovely wife, Terri, since June 1985.
Children: Two wonderful boys - Lawrence Brown II, 8, and Jacob Morgan, born Oct. 25.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Driving to Gloucester to spend time with my mom, dad and the family.
Last smart thing you did: Took the sergeant's exam.
Last dumb thing you did: Left my wallet in Burger King.
Favorite meal: Steak and seafood combination platter.
Favorite movies: ``Brian's Song,'' anything with Mel Gibson or Steven Segal.
Favorite song: ``Always and Forever'' and anything by Mariah Carey.
Last book read: Virginia State Police manual.
Hobbies: Weight lifting, collecting various miniature state police cars (28 so far), baking my favorite pound cake, coaching community league football and basketball.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Limit her time at the mall.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Learn to manage my time better, trying to do too many things with too little time.
Secret vice: Fig Newtons and milk in bed.
Favorite restaurant: Surf Rider, Alexander's on the Bay.
Your favorite night on the town: Dinner and dancing with family and friends.
Favorite TV shows: ``Wild Wild West,'' ``Martin'' and ``In Living Color.''
Favorite sport: Football.
Last vacation: What's a vacation?
Pets: None.
Worst job: Groundsman at the Coast Guard base in Yorktown.
Of what achievements are you most proud? With the assistance of my coaches, winning the Pee Wee Football division two years in a row, compiling an 11-1 record this year and losing only in the second round of the city tournament.
What would you like as your epitaph? He was always smiling. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
by CNB