In the summer of 1979, the city of Albany, Georgia, was struck by a tragedy that would be remembered for decades. Patrolman Randy Eugene Brown, a 28-year-old male officer with the Albany Police Department and a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, responded to a domestic disturbance call just after midnight on Friday, June 8th. As he and his partner approached the scene, a subject began firing at them. Patrolman Brown was struck by a. 22 caliber handgun and gravely wounded.
For two days, Patrolman Brown fought for his life. However, on Sunday, June 10, 1979, he succumbed to the gunshot wound he had sustained in the line of duty. His death was a profound loss to his family, which included his parents, a sister, and four brothers, as well as to his fellow officers and the community he served. He was laid to rest at Floral Memory Garden in Albany.
The individual responsible for the fatal shooting was apprehended and faced the full force of the law. Following a trial, the suspect was convicted of first-degree murder. The court handed down a sentence of life in prison for the killing of Patrolman Randy Brown. The conviction brought a measure of justice for the senseless act of violence that cut short the life of a dedicated public servant.
