Sgt. Joseph K. Brown, Sr. |
Let us pause
to remember our Fallen Hero, Sergeant Joseph K. Brown, Sr., lost this day in
1966 while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in Adam Sector.
Sgt. Brown
was born on December 2, 1929, in Takoma Park, Maryland. He was raised on his family's farm in what is
now the 6800 Block of New Hampshire Avenue.
Sgt. Brown attended Mount Rainier High School and the University of
Maryland before joining the United States Marine Corps. He served with honor and distinction,
achieving the rank of sergeant while assigned to Camp Pendleton. Sgt. Brown briefly joined the Takoma Park
Police Department at the beginning of 1958.
On March 16, 1958, Sgt. Brown joined the Prince George's County Police
Department, following in the footsteps of his father, Ralph W. Brown. The elder Brown was among the original
members of this Agency when it was formed in 1931. The elder Brown was promoted through the
ranks and eventually attained the rank of Chief in 1943, serving in that
capacity until his retirement in 1950.
His son, Sgt. Brown, was assigned to the Hyattsville Station and
promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1965.
On February
19. 1966, Sgt. Brown and two of his fellow officers responded to 2211
University Boulevard, Hyattsville, Maryland to serve an arrest warrant for
indecent exposure. As the officers
attempted to initiate contact with the wanted subject, his 17 year old son
suddenly exited the apartment and engaged the officers in a physical
confrontation. As the officers attempted
to place the youth into custody, the wanted subject exited the apartment and
opened fire with a handgun, striking Sgt. Brown in the chest and wounding
another officer. Sgt. Brown was
transported to Washington Sanitarium Hospital where he succumbed to his
injuries.
Sgt. Brown
served the Prince George's County Police Department for eight years and was the
fourth member of this Agency to make the Ultimate Sacrifice. He was the fifth law enforcement officer to
give his life while serving this Profession within Prince George's County,
Maryland.
At the time
of his death, Sergeant Joseph K. Brown, Jr. was 36 years old and survived by
his wife and son.
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