Roll of Honor
Millard E. Brown
Incident
Deputy Constable Brown and Constable Ben Northern were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a youth who had been involved in a fight with another youth. When they arrived at the youth's home they encountered him sitting on the porch holding a shotgun. The boy complied with their order to put down the weapon. As Constable Northern bent down to pick up the shotgun someone inside of the home shot him with another shotgun. The original suspect attempted to flee but was caught by Deputy Constable Brown. As they started walking back towards the home Deputy Constable Brown was also shot and killed.
Constable Northern's son, who had accompanied them, ran to his father and was shot in his arm as he grabbed his father's revolver. He retreated and ran and notified the county sheriff and a deputy. The sheriff responded to the scene with deputies and discovered the suspects had barricaded themselves in the house. A shot of teargas resulted in the surrender of three men and two women. Because of lynching threats the three men were sent to the jail in Nashville.
Two male suspects, uncle and nephew ages 17 and 51, admitted that they shot both officers. Both were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The youth they were attempting to arrest was sentenced to 25 years. After a second trial in August of 1933, the 51-year-old suspect was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to three years. His nephew was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years. The youth sentenced to 25 years was acquitted.
Deputy Constable Brown was survived by his wife and several children.
Constable Northern's son, who had accompanied them, ran to his father and was shot in his arm as he grabbed his father's revolver. He retreated and ran and notified the county sheriff and a deputy. The sheriff responded to the scene with deputies and discovered the suspects had barricaded themselves in the house. A shot of teargas resulted in the surrender of three men and two women. Because of lynching threats the three men were sent to the jail in Nashville.
Survivors
Deputy Constable Brown was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-0B671CD8- 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.
Deputy Constable Brown served with the Wilson County District Four Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mt. Juliet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Constable Millard E. 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wilson County District Four Constable'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. Millard E. Brown's cause is highlighted.
How Millard E. Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Millard E. Brown is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Millard E. Brown was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wilson County District Four Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
