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Incident
Deputy Brown and Night Marshal Thomas Stephens were shot and killed after responding to a report that several men were creating a disturbance in front of a church they were using for a lodge meeting.
When Deputy Brown and Marshal Stephens attempted to place a man under arrest, his father drove up and opened fire killing both officers. Both officers managed to return fire killing four trouble makers, three who were their killer's sons. Vigilantes arrived on the scene and burned the church to the ground. They threw two rioters into the fire killing both. The shooting deaths of these two officers sparked riots in the town that resulted in several other people being killed and several buildings and homes burned in Millin. Another son of the killer was lynched. The incident became know as one of the "Red Summer Riots", one of 25 that occurred in the U.S. During 1919. They occurred also in Washington, D.C., Knoxville, Tennessee, Longview, Texas, Phillips County, Arkansas, Omaha, Nebraska, and most dramatically Chicago.
The gunman was arrested for the murder of both officers. He was convicted of Deputy Brown's murder and sentenced to death. He was awarded a new trial and acquitted. A third trial resulted in an acquittal for the murder of Marshal Stephens. He was released from jail on May 30, 1923.
Deputy Brown had served with the agency for 8 years.
Survivors
He was 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Brown gave the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Millen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jenkins County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 10 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.3% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Jenkins County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Jenkins County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Jenkins County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
