Lawton FOP to help with effort to honor the late C.H. Brazzel

Lawton Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 98 has joined the effort to raise funds for a bronze statue honoring the late C.H. Brazzel.

Brazzel, who had served with Lawton Police Department in various capacities for almost 45 years before his death in January 2020, was a well-known fixture in the community. While many people knew him through his police work, friends and family say Brazzel’s interests extended to anyone who needed a helping hand, and he wasn’t shy about making things happen, especially if youth were involved.

Ward 8 Councilman Randy Warren, who knew Brazzel, said late last year was relaunching an effort to create a monument in Brazzel’s honor, saying he was only waiting for an organization to help hold funds before that happened.

Friday, Warren and FOP Lodge 98 said the lodge would be that organization. Checks and money orders for the statue should be made out to the FOP Lodge 98, noting C.H. Brazzel on the contribution. The funds will be held in a separate account, overseen by the FOP board, Warren said. Those funds also can be taken to Warren’s Imports, 130 SW B.

Funds raised in excess of what is needed for the bronze statue will be used to establish the C.H. Brazzel Scholarship Fund for Lawton youth pursuing law enforcement degrees at Cameron University.

Warren said the bronze statue will show Brazzel helping a child onto a pedestal, with other children waiting in line for their turns. The statue will be placed near the Playgrounds in the Park on the east end of Elmer Thomas Park.

“This memorial is significant because it captures the essence of who C.H. Brazzel truly was — someone who dedicated his life to lifting up others, particularly our youth,” Warren said. “In law enforcement, it’s easy to become focused solely on enforcing rules, but C.H. had an extraordinary ability to see beyond that. He understood that every interaction with a child was an opportunity to shape their future.

“What made C.H. special was that he always put kids first. Before any action or decision, he would consider its impact on the children in our community. This statue isn’t just about commemorating one man — it’s about preserving and promoting this vital approach to community service. When we see C.H. helping children onto that pedestal, it reminds us to ask ourselves, ‘How will our actions today affect the children in our community?’

“The location near the playground is particularly meaningful because it represents where C.H.’s heart was — with the kids. He knew that positive interactions between law enforcement and youth could change the trajectory of young lives. The image of children waiting their turn to be lifted up perfectly symbolizes how C.H. made every child feel important and worthy of attention.”