Kevin Browne, 56, former policeman & drug agent

KEVIN ELL BROWNE was described by his family as a "renaissance man," and looking at his life, it's easy to understand where they got that designation.

Emerging from a low-income environment in Philadelphia, Kevin went on to become a musician, a Coast Guard radioman, a police officer and an undercover federal narcotics agent. Before he became ill, he was also thinking about becoming a lawyer.

On his way, Kevin encountered and overcame racism in an era when black men were not accepted everywhere, especially if they wanted to get ahead.

Kevin almost died in 1998, when, suffering from kidney failure, he was pronounced clinically dead. But through the efforts of his doctors, and, his family believes, his strong Christian faith, he pulled through and lived another 13 years.

In fact, he was accepted at Temple University Law School in 2001, but had to withdraw because of poor health.

He died Jan. 13, a day after his 56th birthday.

"No matter what endeavor Kevin was involved in, he brought a strong sense of duty, commitment and honor to each one," his family said.

Kevin was the fifth of seven children born in Philadelphia to Ella Browne. "His mother served as his strongest inspiration, teaching him to live by a code of love and respect for himself and other people," his family said.

His mother must have had enormous patience because as a teenager Kevin filled the house with the loud banging of drums, or what substituted for drums - pots, pans, books and any other object that could make a sound when struck.

Eventually, of course, he managed to save enough money to buy a real set of traps and joined a band. It played in local clubs, at bar mitzvahs, bars and at gigs throughout Philadelphia, the East Coast and Canada.

Following his graduation from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1972, Kevin enlisted in the Coast Guard. It was there that he encountered racism as he sought to become the first African-American radioman.

"Despite being harassed and assigned to cleaning dishes and swabbing the deck, Kevin nevertheless persevered and was finally, and correctly, assigned to duties in the ship's radio room," his family said.

He served aboard the cutter Gallatin before being discharged and joining the Philadelphia Police Department in 1984.

In 1988, he was assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's task force as an undercover investigator.

Even while serving as a full-time law-enforcement officer, Kevin managed to attend Temple University and received a degree in journalism/public relations in 1990.

He retired from the Police Department in 2005.

Kevin was also a devoted family man and enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren on vacations and to beaches. He delighted in giving his grandchildren funny nicknames, and teaching them to fish.

He is survived by three daughters, Syreita, Monique and Alexis; a son, Kevin Browne Jr.; three grandchildren, and his former wife, Gladys Browne.

Services: Were Saturday. Burial was in Chelten Hills Cemetery.