Incident
Police Officer Norvelle Brown was shot and killed in an ambush in an alley in the 1600 block of Semple Avenue by a 15-year-old suspect who had intended to kill a police officer.
Officer Brown was wearing a bullet-resistant vest, but the bullet entered through the arm opening and caused a fatal wound.
The officer was able to radio that he needed assistance. An undercover officer who quickly arrived at the scene performed CPR and transported Officer Brown to Barnes Jewish Hospital in the back of a squad car. Officer Brown later died from his wounds.
On August 17th, 2007, the 15-year-old male and an 18-year-old accomplice were arrested and charged with the murder of Officer Brown. The subject was convicted and sentenced to life without parole on October 9th, 2009.
Officer Brown had served with the St. Louis Police Department for one year.
Your memory jumped into my head today, 2/25/23. You will never be forgotten, R.I.P.
SGT. SHO SLMPD February 25th, 2023
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-6E9C378A- 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
You barely got started.
Police Officer Brown gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Norvelle 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 112 of 176 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Norvelle Brown's cause is highlighted.
How Norvelle Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life without parole
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Norvelle Brown is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Norvelle Brown was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
175 officers from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















