Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sheriff Brown,
You were one of my instructors in the Dekalb County police academy in 1986. I Just found out about your tragic death today. I was heart broken! I remember you as a very intelligent, knowledgeable and caring person and excellent instructor. You were a great inspiration to me. May you RIP!

Ivanhoe Miller (FMR. Dekalb Co. (P.O)

June 6, 2020

Rest in peace Sheriff- Elect Brown.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 26, 2019

I COME TO THIS PAGE PERIODICALLY TO PAY HOMAGE TO MY FRIEND AND LIKE BROTHER THE LATE SHERIFF ELECT DERWIN BROWN. TODAY MARKS 16 YEARS FROM THAT HORRIBLE NIGHT COWARDS THOUGHT THEY WERE DOING SOMETHING JUSTIFIED BY TAKING YOUR LIFE FOR PERSONAL AND CAPITAL GAIN.... WELL NOT!!!! CAUSE VENGEANCE IS MINE SAITH THE LORD AND THEY HAVE GOTTEN WHAT THEY DESERVE. REST IN PARADISE MY SWEET STRONG MAN. NOT A DAY GOES BY. YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY HEAR FOREVER.

GINA PEELE
FRIEND-SISTER

December 15, 2016

In my mind's eye you are forever young, you are a calm and professional presence in dangerous moments in time. In my mind's eye we are alway's running toward the gunfire, we are always standing as willing shields for those in harms way and we are soldiers of strength and good will for the decent people of our community.

You are and always will be a wonderful role model for the young men and women of DeKalb County. You are so deeply missed.

Detective-Sergeant
DeKalb County Police

December 16, 2015

Sheriff Brown, even in your passing you ultimately did as you said you would in bringing the corruption in the office to light & deal with it. It's so sad that you had to lose your life over a job you won to protect the public & in the end were murdered by the ones who'd sworn to do the same. May you Rest In Peace & Never Be Forgotten.

Citizen Tracy Corley
Louisiana

December 11, 2014

A true hero...We will never forget you and what you stood for.

A Friend

December 16, 2013

My heart goes out to the family & friends of Sheriff-Elect Derwin Brown. I'm just learning of this story from another officer & my son & cousin are both with this agency. This is unbelievable & was such a senseless act of evil people. I pray that the family looks to the hills which cometh their help. I understand your pain as our family too lost a loved one in the line of duty & he was only 39 y/o and also had a positive impact on so many lives. May God continue to give strength to all of those who become members of that elite club that no one wants to be a part of called COPS. Thank God for their support & prayers be with all those that serve.

D Bridges
Aunt of MD State Trooper-TFC Shaft Hunter EOW 5/21/11

June 26, 2013

it is such a blight on law enforcement to have such a horrendous act happen plainly because od greed. i am retired law enforcement and have heard of acts like this and am over-whelmed with anger and sadness. hopefully all will learn that, in the end, they will be caught and have to pay for these acts. my prayers to the family and the sheriffs department

retired deputy
anderson county sheriffs office

April 5, 2013

I just saw the story on ID investigation on June 11, 2012. My heart goes out to the family. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you. I was just shocked to no end to hear this story. How he was killed by the same people who are suppose to protect and serve. Sheriff Brown will always be a hero. May his soul rest in peace.

Anonymous

June 12, 2012

Rest in Peace, Sheriff-elect Brown. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 25, 2012

You took me to my first football game as a kid. You son and I were like best friends and it was so hard to see things end up the way they did. We were so happy about the election then things just.... Happened. Well now I work for Dekalb and I will never forget what youve done for this community and for the kids here. Rest in Peace.

Special Officer Fred Brooks
Family friend

March 6, 2012

I feel deeply for this family.And the people of this county have no idea what they lost that winter night in Georgia.People like this man aren't born everyday.It appears to be a large county,so one would think that the good citizens of the county would get together and collect monies,several thousands I believe.
Another thing that bothers me greatly is the fact I had never known about it until today when my husband turned on MSNBC.I am white,but my father raised us up so that color didn't matter.And as far as I am concerned,this man is what should be considered a HERO.Americans heads are screwed up when it comes to what a HERO is.I'm also sorry the family lost their MOTHER.I'm sure that was the cause.Now children will be without this set of grandparents,the family lost a brother & sister,an Aunt & Uncle,cousin,and very good friends to many.May GOD bless all concerned.

Citizen=Rachel Dayhuff
One that loves the truth

January 28, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the sixth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you, especially your family. The hurt of losing a beloved never goes away and both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 16, 2009

Not a day goes by........Continue to RIP

Gina Peele
Family

December 15, 2009

I vaguely remember reading or seeing the news about this happening but it was not until today when I saw your memorial on the front page of the site that I really took notice at what happened. It is a shame that this happened and I will say a prayer for your family, department, and freinds. I personally know what corruption can do to a law enforcement agency. I was not involved, but knew illegal things were going on within my agency, and when I reported it I was one of the individuals who took the fall. Thank God I was strong enough to endure a year of living hell and and thankfully was never wrongfully imprisoned. I simply lost my job and it resulted in ruining any hope of furthering my career in Law Enforcement. I know firsthand how it can rouine lives, and even lead a fellow officer to killing themself. I am so sorry that this happened to you, but I am glad that the people responsible were caught and brought to justice. I wish that would happen in all cases, but it does not. God bless bless you sir, and may your heroics and struggle to end corruption live on forever. Heros live forever! Sometimes there is JUSTICE, and sometimes there is JUST US!

Former Officer

Former Officer

February 23, 2009

Your EOW was 8 years ago and I am just reading about your story for the first
time. Hard to believe that something like this can happen in the 21st century.
Chief of Police Young said it before and it is worthy of repeating: "Your courage to stand up against the forces of evil will forever stand as a beacon for those of us who serve the cause of justice." I couldn't have said it better myself. God bless you for the courage it took to stand for righteousness. You are a man of
incredible integrity.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

December 16, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this eighth anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

December 16, 2008

It's been six long hard years, and for the remainder of my life I will never get over this especially now with Phyllis gone. And that person's thoughtless act and then unnecessary admission. Unecessary because only he believe's it. I/we all miss you daily. You will forever remain one of the greatest men in our lives and Dekalb County as well. I watched you touch so many lives - what an honor. The old attage states, the good die young. I know that because God has yet another assignment for you. As I reflect on that horrible night when I saw you laying there in the cold rain my heart knows now that no matter how our hearts will forever hurt, your life was not lived in vain, and you and Phyllis watch over and keep us daily.
God's protective had over all those who have followed in your footsteps into Law Enforcement.

Gina Peele
Friend/sister

March 28, 2008

Its always difficult for me during this time of the year.

I miss your courage, leadership and most of all, your unquestionable integrity.

Rest in peace Sheriff.

Frankie Stanford
Former Aide, Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown

December 14, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service, and for taking a stand to ensure that integrity and honesty were restored to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department. It is an honor to leave a relfection for a man who has such standards. God Bless you and your family.

VanDenBerghe
manchester, nh

December 7, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 8, 2007

Gone but not forgotten. You must have been visiting your killer in his dreams and he couldn't take it anymore so therefore he confessed. R.I.P

Det. L. Gauthney
Columbus (OH) Police dept.

August 17, 2007

MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THOSE WHO STILL MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

July 22, 2007

Dee, you were the most dedicated person for justice I've ever known. You left a sense of that justice instilled in your family. When Phyllis left us, I prayed that she would find peace by your side. She really missed you, man. God keep you both in his loving arms.

Michael Wier
DKPD (retired)

January 27, 2007

It has been 6yrs now Bro. Brown and I often think that like I hope that I have made a difference. You continue to inspire me. God Bless and Keep you!

Ofc. Nixon
Blue Line Bro.

December 15, 2006