Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff-elect Brown was shot and killed in an ambush-style attack organized by the incumbent sheriff he had beaten in the recent election.
The sheriff-elect had just returned home from a celebration with family and friends when he was shot 11 times while in his front yard. Sheriff-elect Brown had vowed to end corruption in the sheriff's department during his campaign for sheriff. After a long investigation by state and federal law enforcement agencies, three suspects were arrested, including the former sheriff and a former sheriff's deputy. The former sheriff was later convicted of arranging the murder as well as multiple counts of theft and racketeering. As of October 21, 2023, the former sheriff, now 83, was in prison.
Sheriff-elect Brown had been with the DeKalb County Department of Public Safety for 22 years and was scheduled to be sworn in as Sheriff three days after his death.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-276F35A1- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Derwin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff-elect Brown gave the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff-elect Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff-elect Derwin 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Derwin Brown's cause is highlighted.
How Derwin Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Derwin Brown is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Derwin Brown was killed by handgun; tech-9.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from DeKalb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
