William G. Brown
Agency patch
Patrolman

William G. Brown

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
End of Watch September 29, 1917
Age 23
Tour of Duty 7 mo
Badge 711
The Vigil Panel 76 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Brown was shot and killed while chasing a man who had brandished a gun when asked to leave a cafe at Lakeside Avenue and E. 9th Street. Patrolman Brown was walking his beat when the cafe owner notified him of the incident and pointed the man out. As Patrolman Brown chased the suspect, they exchanged shots, and both were wounded. Patrolman Brown was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent two blood transfusions before doctors determined he had to have his leg amputated. Patrolman Brown never regained consciousness after the operation and succumbed to his wounds on September 29, four days after the initial shooting. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Brown had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for seven months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, three sons, and two brothers, who were both officers with the Cleveland Police Department.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
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Stewardship
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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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Brown served with the Cleveland Division of Police.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Brown.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 29, 1917
Tour of Duty 7 mo
Age 23
Badge Number 711
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 23. 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. William had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cleveland Division of Police has 119 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William G. Brown

Cleveland Division of Police · End of Watch September 29, 1917

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W

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