Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Thomas Brown was shot and killed by the former sheriff while investigating a disturbance.
The former sheriff had been drinking and stopped at a woman's farm. The woman sent her son and a friend to find Sheriff Brown.
When Sheriff Brown arrived at the scene, he located the former sheriff's vehicle and found a 2-gallon jug of liquor in it. As he approached the house to find the former sheriff, he fired and struck Sheriff Brown three times.
Sheriff Brown had served as sheriff for 8 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-6FCBEDB8- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Brown served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Crossville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Thomas Fenton 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cumberland County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Fenton Brown's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Fenton Brown Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Fenton Brown is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Fenton Brown was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cumberland County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
