One of the great passions of fallen Board Member Jim Brown was the preservation of history at Folsom State Prison. For over 20 years he served as the Operations Manager of the Big House Prison Museum on the grounds of Folsom State Prison. He and Robert Ebbitt (along with countless volunteers) served on the museum board of directors for decades, dedicated to growing and preserving the history of corrections.

The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation and their board of directors generiously donated a bench to preside permanantely at the Big House Prison Musuem at Folsom State Prison. On September 30, 2023, surrounded by family, friends, peers, coworkers and fellow board members of Jim, the bench was dedicated to Jim and the museum re-opened.

The ceremony was led by National Honor Guard Team member and current president of The Big House Prison Museum, Duke Juanitas. Guest speakers included a blessing of the bench by Chaplain Ben Pavan and Chairman of CPOF’s Board of Directors, Ron Barnes.  Leading up to the ceremony, the staff at CPOF worked extensively with Anthony Yribe of Legacy Furniture to create an item that truly captured who Jim was and how he would be remembered. Folsom State Prison’s honor guard posted colors and the CPOF National Honor Guard Team raised the flag for this event.

The ceremony closed with Jim’s widow, Janet, cutting the ceremonial ribbon welcoming the guests to the re-opening of the Big House Prison Museum at Folsom State Prison.

Thank you to the staff at CPOF for all you did to make this tribute a reality, Robert and Duke for hosting a beautiful ceremony, the board of directors for honoring Jim and to all of the volunteers who continue to keep Jim’s memory alive.