The West Midlands Fire Service is in deep mourning following the sudden death of their Chief Officer, Wayne Brown.
Discovered at his home on Wednesday, Brown’s passing has left an “enormous void” in the organisation, says Chief Deputy Fire Officer Jo Bowcock.
While his death is not considered suspicious by West Midlands Police, Brown had been under investigation due to claims about his qualifications raised on social media.
In a short online message shared online, Bowcock said she and her colleagues were “devastated” by Brown’s passing, but expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community, saying “they mean the world to us”.
“Healing will take time, but the messages we have received are helping a great deal,” she said.
“There’s nothing more to say now other than we’re grieving.”
Brown joined the West Midlands Fire Service in 2019, initially serving as Deputy Chief Fire Officer before taking on the top leadership role in January 2023.
He had previously served with the London Fire Brigade, where he responded to some of the capital’s most significant disasters, including the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 and the 2005 terror attacks.
West Midlands Fire Service had previously confirmed an investigation into social media claims made against Brown.
The service are offering support their staff during this difficult time, and a ‘book of condolence’ has been opened on their website for people to share their memories and tributes.