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Patrolman

Tobias J. Brown

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch August 23, 1941

Age 45

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Badge 867

The Vigil Panel 173 · Column 4 · Line 3 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 100

Incident

Patrolman Toby Brown was shot and killed by a suspect as the man was being placed into a patrol car near the intersection of Vespucius Street and Second Avenue. The incident occurred in a parked radio cruiser as three officers sought to arrest two men accused of molesting several victims on Second Avenue. As one of the suspects resisted arrest and being placed into the patrol car, he drew .45 caliber handgun and began firing, striking Patrolman Brown in the chest and head, and a second officer in the chest. The third officer on the scene was able to return fire, fatally wounding the man in the head. Patrolman Brown was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Patrolman Brown had served with the Pittsburgh Police Department for 14 years and had previously served with the United States Army in World War I. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons. One of Patrolman Brown's sons, a grandson, and a great-grandson all served in law enforcement.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Tobias is one person.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Brown gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 15 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Type Federal Agency

Location Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA

Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 23, 1941

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Age 45

Badge Number 867

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Tobias J. Brown served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Tobias is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Tobias was 45. 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. Tobias had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded