Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Alex Brown was shot and killed by a forgery suspect at a home at 220 Terry Street in Carterville. When Detective Brown went to the suspect’s home to question him the man pulled a gun and disarmed Detective Brown. The suspect then ran to Detective Brown's car to escape as Detective Brown went to a neighbor’s house to obtain a shotgun. As Detective Brown confronted the suspect the shotgun failed to fire and the man fatally shot him. On January 14th, 1929, the 26-year-old suspect was apprehended in Marshall, Texas, after being shot in the arm by police during a chase. He was returned to Joplin, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-1B14A1F0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Brown served with the Joplin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Alex Brown is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Joplin Police Department, 17 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alex Brown's cause is highlighted.
How Alex Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alex Brown is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alex Brown was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Joplin Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
