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Incident
Patrolman Hobert Brown was shot and killed during a traffic stop by a driver with a sawed-off shotgun who had escaped from jail. The suspect had escaped from the Cherokee County Jail, where he was being held on a robbery charge a week earlier. The day before he shot Patrolman Brown, the suspect robbed two service stations in Woodstock and took both attendants hostage. He later shoved one victim from his car in Gilmer County. As they ran, he shot one in the back, leaving him in serious condition. However, the man was able to describe the vehicle and the suspect, who still had one man captive in the car. Around 6:30 a.m., State Police informed Patrolman Brown that the suspect was en route through Blue Ridge. When he spotted the vehicle, Patrolman Brown pulled him over. As he approached the car, the suspect fired, mortally wounding Patrolman Brown. The suspect drove away but was apprehended in Blairsville that night. The suspect, 23, had been released from a Milledgeville Mental Hospital a year earlier, but was released when doctors believed he knew right from wrong. On January 15, 1960, he was convicted of Patrolman Brown's murder and sentenced to death, dying in the electric chair on January 20, 1961. Patrolman Brown had served in law enforcement for 11 years. The Blue Ridge Police Department had only two officers, so Patrolman Brown worked seven nights a week. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and siblings. One of his brothers was a police officer with the Jasper Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and siblings.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Brown gave the Blue Ridge Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Blue Ridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Brown.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hobert is the only officer of Blue Ridge Police Department remembered here.
Hobert is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Hobert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hobert is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1959, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1959, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1959, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hobert was 39. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Hobert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hobert was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Hobert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hobert was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hobert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Blue Ridge Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Blue Ridge Police Department are honored on badge.nw.