Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: New Jersey Incident Date: Friday, August 23, 1963 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Charged with murder
Police Officer James Brown was succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained five weeks earlier while attempting to breakup a fight outside of a bar on Longport-Somerspoint Boulevard, in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
He and his brother, who was also a Philadelphia police officer, were off duty and visiting the bar when a fight broke out between a patron and the bartender. As Officer Brown and his brother attempted to breakup the fight the patron pulled out a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Brown in the neck.
The man was arrested by local authorities following the shooting and charged with murder following Officer Brown's death. Evidence of numerous burglaries were located in his vehicle. In 1965 he was convicted of burglaries and sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison. In 1969 murder charges were dismissed against him because prosecutors failed to start his trial within 180 days of his arrest.
Officer Brown was a U.S Army veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-D0220305- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Brown gave the Philadelphia Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James J. Brown served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer James 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James J. Brown's cause is highlighted.
How James J. Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Brown is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. Brown was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
