Charles Douglas "Charlie" Brown Jr., aged 38, was a dedicated deputy sheriff with the Martin County Sheriff's Office in Williamston, North Carolina. On December 8, 2009, Deputy Brown was tragically shot and killed during a confrontation with a suspect on West Main Street in Williamston. The incident occurred at around 9:15 am when Deputy Brown and other officers responded to reports of a man walking down the street firing a long gun.
The officers located the suspect in the rear of a residence, and as Deputy Brown was making his way from one point of cover to another, the suspect appeared with an assault rifle. Deputy Brown yelled for the suspect to drop the weapon, but the suspect fired several shots, one of which hit Deputy Brown in the side under his arm, an area not protected by his body armor. The other officers returned fire, killing the suspect, but despite being transported to a local hospital, Deputy Brown succumbed to his wounds shortly after.
Deputy Brown was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served in Desert Storm as a medic, and had a distinguished career in law enforcement, including service in the Narcotics Unit and the K9 Unit. He was also a member of the North Carolina Department of Corrections PERT team as a sniper and had helped with disaster relief efforts in New Orleans and Thailand. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and brother.
The suspect involved in the shooting was killed at the scene by the other officers. There were no further arrests or litigations related to the incident, as the suspect was deceased. The case was treated as a line-of-duty death, and Deputy Brown was honored for his valor and sacrifice to the community.
Deputy Brown's legacy lives on through the memories of his family, friends, and fellow officers who remember him for his dedication and service. His funeral was held on December 12, 2009, at the Sen. Bob Martin Agriculture Center, with many in attendance to pay their respects.
