Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Brown was shot and killed while chasing a man who had brandished a gun when asked to leave a cafe at Lakeside Avenue and E. 9th Street. Patrolman Brown was walking his beat when the cafe owner notified him of the incident and pointed the man out. As Patrolman Brown chased the suspect, they exchanged shots, and both were wounded. Patrolman Brown was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent two blood transfusions before doctors determined he had to have his leg amputated. Patrolman Brown never regained consciousness after the operation and succumbed to his wounds on September 29, four days after the initial shooting. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Brown had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for seven months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, three sons, and two brothers, who were both officers with the Cleveland Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-636D1AFB- 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.
Patrolman Brown served with the Cleveland Division of Police.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William G. 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William G. Brown's cause is highlighted.
How William G. Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William G. Brown is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William G. Brown was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
