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Joseph Kelly Brown Sr.
Incident
Sergeant Joseph Brown was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who he had a warrant out for his arrest. Sergeant Brown, along with another uniformed officer and a detective, was attempting to serve an indecent exposure warrant on a young man at an apartment at 2211 University Boulevard, in Adelphi. The wanted man's father fired a pistol from the doorway, killing Sergeant Brown and wounding the two others. The man fled but was later arrested. The 41-year-old suspect's trial for murder ended with a hung jury and a mistrial was declared on July 25, 1966. He was sent back to jail and another trial was scheduled, but there is no more information. Sergeant Brown had served with the Prince George's County Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Brown gave the Prince George's County Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palmer Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Prince George's County Police Department has lost 30 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1966, 1 officer at Prince George's County Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 16 years on record. The heaviest was 1978, with 2.
In 1966, 1 officer in MD was killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 36. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Prince George's County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.5 and 37; the middle age was 31. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Joseph was 36. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Joseph was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 31.6% of these deaths at Prince George's County Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 26.3%.
February holds 10.3% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.3% of all 30 deaths at Prince George's County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 26.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Prince George's County Police Department has 30 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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Edward Dennis Merson
Sep 1, 1937
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Charles F. Caldwell
Jun 12, 1948
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Alfred W. Steinat
May 2, 1963
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Joseph Kelly Brown, Sr.
Feb 19, 1966
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John William Leatherbury, Jr.
Mar 21, 1968
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Robert E. Yeszerski
Nov 30, 1968
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William W. Gullett, Jr.
Feb 16, 1969
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Carroll D. Garrison
Feb 20, 1973
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Albert Marshal Claggett, IV
Jun 26, 1978
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James Brian Swart
Jun 26, 1978
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Antonio Martinez Kelsey
Feb 2, 1980
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Raymond Hubbard
Feb 8, 1982
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Allan Dale Johnson
Dec 8, 1982
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Carlton X. Fletcher
Jun 12, 1983
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Richard J. Beavers
Nov 29, 1983
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Mark Kevin Murphy
Sep 1, 1988
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Harry Leroy Kinikin, Jr.
Jan 13, 1990
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Ryan Christopher Johnson, Sr.
Apr 22, 1992
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Roger Peck Fleming
Oct 27, 1992
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John Louis Bagileo
Feb 28, 1994
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John J. Novabilski
Apr 26, 1995
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Kilonzo Musili Masembwa
Nov 10, 2000
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Anthony Michael Walker
Nov 15, 2003
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Steven Francis Gaughan
Jun 21, 2005
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Richard Scott Findley
Jun 27, 2008
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Thomas Paul Jensen
Mar 9, 2010
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Adrian Antonio Morris
Aug 20, 2012
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Brennan Roger Rabain
Mar 7, 2015
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Jacai David Colson
Mar 13, 2016
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Mujahid Abdul Mumin Ramzziddin
Feb 21, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Prince George's County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
