Keynote Session: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 1 p.m. | Grand Ballroom in the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Some stories can only be told by those who lived them. Tim Brown is one of those people, and his story is one the POAM community needs to hear.
Keynote Speaker: Tim Brown
The Police Officers Association of Michigan is proud to welcome Brown as a featured speaker at the 2026 POAM Annual Convention.
Secure your spot today. Space is limited, and this is one experience worth showing up for.
A retired, decorated 20-year firefighter with the Fire Department of the City of New York, Brown has spent his life running toward danger so others could run away from it. From the 1993 World Trade Center bombing to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing to the 1996 Centennial Olympic bombing in Atlanta, he has stood on the front lines of some of the most devastating events in modern American history.
September 11, 2001
Then came September 11, 2001.
Brown was there. He survived the Islamist terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, but nearly 100 of his friends and fellow heroes did not. In the years that followed, he made a promise he has kept every single day since: Never Forget.
His mission doesn’t stop in the courtroom. Through his powerful presentation, “Truth in History & Patience in Grief,” Brown takes audiences on an honest, emotional, and ultimately inspiring journey, from the unimaginable heroism he witnessed on September 11th, to the dark years of grief that followed, to the hard-won peace and purpose he has found on the other side. He speaks openly about his own struggles, including the importance of seeking help, holding on through the darkness, and trusting that light is coming. It is a message that resonates deeply with those in law enforcement, corrections, and public safety who carry the weight of their work every single day.
A Lifetime of Service Beyond the Fire
Brown has shared this story with some of the most important audiences in the world: the FBI, CIA, DIA, NGA, DHS, NATO, forward-deployed U.S. military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and fire departments worldwide. He helped create the 9/11 Museum’s Professional Program, now attended by new recruits across multiple federal agencies. His work has been recognized nationally, including his participation in the 2011 documentary Rebirth, which was screened at the White House and received a Peabody Award.
This year’s POAM Annual Convention carries special meaning as we honor law enforcement and first responders involved in the September 11th events. There is no more fitting voice for that tribute than Brown, a man who was there, who never looked away, and who has dedicated his life to making sure the world never forgets.
Join Us for This Special Session
This powerful session takes place on Wednesday, May 20th at 1 p.m. at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is a closed event for POAM members only.
The 2026 POAM Annual Convention runs from Wednesday, May 20th, through Friday, May 22nd. Robert O’Neill, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, will also be featured during this session.