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Incident
Sheriff-elect Brown was shot and killed in an ambush-style attack organized by the incumbent sheriff he had beaten in the recent election.
The sheriff-elect had just returned home from a celebration with family and friends when he was shot 11 times while in his front yard. Sheriff-elect Brown had vowed to end corruption in the sheriff's department during his campaign for sheriff. After a long investigation by state and federal law enforcement agencies, three suspects were arrested, including the former sheriff and a former sheriff's deputy. The former sheriff was later convicted of arranging the murder as well as multiple counts of theft and racketeering. As of October 21, 2023, the former sheriff, now 83, was in prison.
Sheriff-elect Brown had been with the DeKalb County Department of Public Safety for 22 years and was scheduled to be sworn in as Sheriff three days after his death.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff-elect Brown gave the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff-elect Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Derwin is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Derwin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Derwin 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 2000, 8 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 2000, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2000, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Derwin was 46. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Derwin had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Derwin was 46. 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. Derwin had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Derwin was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Derwin had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Saturdays: 20.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; tech-9, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; tech-9, in 0.2% 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 handgun; tech-9, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; tech-9, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Derwin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from DeKalb County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
