Incident
Patrolman William Brown was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for creating a disturbance at a restaurant on St. Mary Street, near Magazine Street. Two other men had been arrested at the restaurant shortly beforehand and Patrolman Brown returned to the scene to arrest the third subject. As he escorted the man out of the bar a friend of the man opened fire on him, striking him four times. The subject fled the scene but turned himself in the following morning. Patrolman Brown was transported to Charity Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-47BF157F- 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 gave the New Orleans Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans 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 J. 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Brown's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Brown is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Brown was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















