Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Ronnie Brown passed away as a result of complications from injuries inflicted by an inmate one week earlier.
The inmate, who was in custody on a murder charge, had refused to leave his cell in the South County Jail and broke the head off of a sprinkler. As Sergeant Brown and another deputy attempted to extract him from the cell, the inmate shoved him against a wall and then onto the floor. Other deputies pulled Sergeant Brown from the cell and then closed the door.
The next morning Sergeant Brown was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital to be treated for a back injury. The following afternoon he was taken to a second hospital where it was discovered that his back had been fractured. He underwent surgery the following day.
On September 8th Sergeant Brown's wife discovered him deceased in his hospital room when she arrived for a visit.
On March 19, 2010, the suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years for his involvement in the murder of a man over a drug related incident. On May 21, 2010, he received an additional 20 years for battery by detainee, obstructing a crime investigation, and arson, convictions stemming from an unrelated incident. On January 11, 2017, the inmate, now 35, was convicted of Sergeant Brown's murder and sentenced to life. His sentence is to begin after he has served his other sentences.
Sergeant Brown had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. His wife also serves as a detention deputy with the agency.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-7373FDD3- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Detention Sergeant Brown gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Sergeant Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detention Sergeant Ronnie O'Neal 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Polk County Sheriff's Dept., 7 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronnie O'Neal Brown's cause is highlighted.
How Ronnie O'Neal Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronnie O'Neal Brown is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronnie O'Neal Brown was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Polk County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
