Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Joseph Brown was shot and killed while attempting to arrest suspects wanted for stealing an oil drum. Deputy Brown, also a barber in town, observed the men driving through the area and motioned for them to stop their vehicle. He brought all three men into his barbershop without searching them and sat them down as he called for backup. One of the men pulled out a pistol and attempted to force Deputy Brown to come with them. Deputy Brown resisted and pushed the suspect out of the door. As the suspect fell, he fired six shots, striking Deputy Brown in the neck. The shooter was never apprehended. The suspects were responsible for the murders of three other law enforcement officers before one of them was shot and killed, and the others were arrested. The other officers killed were: Deputy Harvey Bolin of Lamb County, Texas; Chief Deputy Thomas Jones of Lincoln County, New Mexico; and Deputy Harvey Bolin of Lamb County, Texas.
Survivors
Deputy Brown was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-B4BBC1FD- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Brown served with the Wise County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Hamilton Brown Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wise County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Hamilton Brown Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Hamilton Brown Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Hamilton Brown Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Hamilton Brown Jr. was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Wise County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
