Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Deputy Russell Brown suffered a fatal heart attack following a scuffle during a domestic disturbance inside a home in the 500 block of Hudson Street in Hawley Borough.
He had gone to the home to assist a Pennsylvania State Police trooper who was investigating the disturbance. While investigating the disturbance the homeowner asked to use the restroom and was granted permission by the officers. The homeowner proceeded to lock themselves inside the bathroom and refused to come out after several demands from the trooper. The trooper forced open the door and a scuffle ensued.
While attempting to assist in placing the homeowner under arrest Chief Deputy Brown suffered a heart attack. Medical personnel were sent to the home where they were able to revive Chief Deputy Brown. He was initially sent home and but later went to the hospital where he died the following day.
The subject was placed under arrest and sent to the Wayne County Jail.
Chief Deputy Brown was survived by his wife and two sons.
Survivors
Chief Deputy Brown was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-80496FB5- 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.
Chief Deputy Brown served with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Honesdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Deputy Russell Minor Brown is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 118 of 1,261 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 9.4% of this state's fallen. That is 5.4 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.
At Wayne County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell Minor Brown's cause is highlighted.
How Russell Minor Brown Compares
When Cardiac Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. Russell Minor Brown is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wayne County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
