WB
U.S. Army · United States 
Wilbur Brown
1930
Wilbur McKinley Brown served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Location: North Carolina
Incident Date: Wednesday, December 10, 1930
Weapon: Handgun
Offender: Shot and killed
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.
Det. Brown,
On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Europe fighting the Germans during WW I as a member of the 30th “Old Hickory” Division.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
December 15th, 2020
Incident Date: Wednesday, December 10, 1930
Weapon: Handgun
Offender: Shot and killed
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.
Det. Brown,
On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Europe fighting the Germans during WW I as a member of the 30th “Old Hickory” Division.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
December 15th, 2020
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
August 2, 2026
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