United States of America
WB
U.S. Army · United States 
Wilbur McKinley Brown
1930
Wilbur McKinley Brown served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Railroad Detective Wilbur "Bill" Brown succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained five days earlier while patrolling the Southern Railway yards in Greensboro, North Carolina.
He and another railroad detective were checking a freight train in the yards when they encountered three men inside a boxcar. One of the men immediately opened fire as Detective Brown opened the door, striking him. Despite the wound, Detective Brown was able to return fire and killed one of the subjects.
The other two subjects were eventually apprehended and both were subsequently convicted of Detective Brown's murder. One of them was sentenced to 30 years in prison and the second was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
He and another railroad detective were checking a freight train in the yards when they encountered three men inside a boxcar. One of the men immediately opened fire as Detective Brown opened the door, striking him. Despite the wound, Detective Brown was able to return fire and killed one of the subjects.
The other two subjects were eventually apprehended and both were subsequently convicted of Detective Brown's murder. One of them was sentenced to 30 years in prison and the second was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Southern Railway Police Department
Railroad Detective
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
September 9, 2026
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