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Ronnie O'Neal Brown
Incident
Sergeant Ronnie Brown passed away as a result of complications from injuries inflicted by an inmate one week earlier.
The inmate, who was in custody on a murder charge, had refused to leave his cell in the South County Jail and broke the head off of a sprinkler. As Sergeant Brown and another deputy attempted to extract him from the cell, the inmate shoved him against a wall and then onto the floor. Other deputies pulled Sergeant Brown from the cell and then closed the door.
The next morning Sergeant Brown was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital to be treated for a back injury. The following afternoon he was taken to a second hospital where it was discovered that his back had been fractured. He underwent surgery the following day.
On September 8th Sergeant Brown's wife discovered him deceased in his hospital room when she arrived for a visit.
On March 19, 2010, the suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years for his involvement in the murder of a man over a drug related incident. On May 21, 2010, he received an additional 20 years for battery by detainee, obstructing a crime investigation, and arson, convictions stemming from an unrelated incident. On January 11, 2017, the inmate, now 35, was convicted of Sergeant Brown's murder and sentenced to life. His sentence is to begin after he has served his other sentences.
Sergeant Brown had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. His wife also serves as a detention deputy with the agency.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Detention Sergeant Brown gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Sergeant Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Polk County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Ronnie is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Ronnie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronnie is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2009, 1 officer at Polk County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2009, 6 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 2009, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2009, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ronnie was 48. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Polk County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.5; the middle age was 39. Ronnie had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Ronnie was 48. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Ronnie had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ronnie was 48. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ronnie had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronnie was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronnie had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 42.9% of these deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 42.9%.
September holds 9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 38.9% of all 18 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Polk County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, Ronnie among them.
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Oliver Thomas Smith Jan 16, 1922
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J. Edward Harrelson
Dec 21, 1926
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Frank Dixon Sep 22, 1932
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Leon Alexander Bernard
Apr 9, 1963
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Paul Andrew Powell
May 26, 1967
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Sollie Waller Rabun, Jr.
Mar 3, 1974
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Theron Anthony Burnham
Jan 9, 1981
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Waymon Dee Allen
Mar 15, 1987
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David Michael Goddard
Feb 2, 1989
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Larry Willis Rhoden
Oct 22, 2001
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Gene Brian Wilkinson
Oct 22, 2001
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Vernon Matthew Williams
Sep 28, 2006
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Ronnie O'Neal Brown
Sep 8, 2009
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Wesley Richard Whitmore, Jr.
Dec 12, 2010
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Joseph Robbins
Apr 26, 2013
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Ricky Carlton Anderson
Feb 21, 2016
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Christopher Broadhead
Aug 23, 2021
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Blane Lane
Oct 4, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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