Roll of Honor
James W. Brown
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Shot and killed
Special Officer James Brown was shot and killed near Cahokia, Illinois, while attempting to arrest several men who had stolen brass from the railroad.
He and a track inspector had seen the group driving a in a buggy and went to investigate what they were doing, and discovered them melting the brass over a fire. He told two of them they were under arrest and then instructed them to load the brass into the buggy. As he walked over to the buggy, someone hidden inside fatally shot him and fired at the inspector.
The inspector returned fire as he retreated back to his office.
One of the subjects was shot and killed in the ensuing shootout.
Officer Brown was a U.S. Army veteran and had previously served with the East St. Louis Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-8AEFD42D- 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.
Special Officer Brown served with the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mobile 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 W. Brown served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Officer James W. 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Mobile and Ohio Railroad Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James W. Brown's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Brown Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Brown is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Brown was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Mobile and Ohio Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
