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Wellington honors Deputy Duane Brown and Driver Operator Andrew Marrero as 2025 Top Cop and Top Firefighter
Summary
At its Sept. 18 meeting the Wellington Village Council and its Public Safety Committee presented the village's 2025 Top Cop award to Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Deputy Duane Brown and the Top Firefighter award to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Driver Operator Andrew Marrero.
WELLINGTON, Fla. — The Wellington Village Council on Sept. 18 presented its 2025 Top Cop and Top Firefighter awards to Deputy Duane Brown of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and Driver Operator Andrew Marrero of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
Nicole Coates, staff liaison for Wellington's Public Safety Committee, said the committee selected the winners at its June meeting and invited Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Sheriff's Office representatives to present the awards.
Assistant Chief David Woodside read the nomination letter for Driver Operator Andrew Marrero, noting Marrero has lived in Wellington since age 8, graduated from Wellington High School, lives in town with his wife and three children and has been assigned to Station 20 for seven years. The nomination described Marrero's additional role as a SWAT medic for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and his work providing tactical emergency medical support during high-risk incidents.
Marrero accepted the award and said, “I'm very humbled to receive this award.” Presenters and councilmembers praised his long ties to the community and mutual partnership between fire rescue and the Sheriff's Office.
Lieutenant Matthew Lavinia of PBSO District 8 presented the nomination for Deputy Duane Brown. The nomination credited Brown's patrol work near the Wellington Mall, his problem-solving and coordination with mall security, and his community involvement, including work with the Wellington Rotary Club and co-founding the Julie B Foundation with his daughter, Jalen, to provide scholarships and support families dealing with cancer. The nomination also noted Brown is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Members of the council and meeting attendees thanked both honorees and remarked on the partnership between police and fire in Wellington. Floral arrangements and group photos followed the presentations.
The awards were presented during the council's presentations and proclamations portion of the Sept. 18 meeting.
