Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Brown was shot and killed by a suspect who had shot and wounded the Lewisport town marshal and several other men the previous day.
The suspect had gone to a neighbor's home the previous day and threatened him with a shotgun. When the suspect left the property the neighbor notified the town marshal, who along with a posse, went to the suspect's home.
As the posse approached the home the suspect opened fire with a shotgun, wounding all six men in the posse.
The suspect then barricaded himself in his home throughout the remainder of the day and that night, periodically shooting at lawmen and citizens who had surrounded it.
Deputy Brown went to assist at the scene the following morning. A decision was made to attempt to set fire to the house to force the man to come out. As Deputy Brown approached one of the windows, the suspect suddenly appeared and opened fire, striking him in the head and killing him instantly.
The house eventually was set on fire and as the suspect fled, the citizens opened fire on him, striking him over 20 times.
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BO-US-KY-F1C46FDE- Stewardship
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- 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 Sheriff Brown served with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hawesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William C. 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William C. Brown's cause is highlighted.
How William C. Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William C. Brown is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William C. Brown was killed by shotgun.