The Brown Family

Derwin Brown was assassinated December 15, 2000 on his wife’s birthday. At the time he was in transition, and had not yet been sworn in as Sheriff; therefore he was left with no paycheck or insurance. Phyllis Brown, the wife of Sheriff Elect was left to have to beg the county to restore his position as Captain of the DeKalb County Police Department (that he was forced to resign from) so that she could receive his benefits.

After two years she was finally awarded his pension and insurance benefit for $50,000 that of which she had to pay legal fees. Although thankful, it did not replace the fact that the county had to take responsibility for their employees. The Sheriff of DeKalb County and some of his deputies used taxpayer’s money, county vehicles, and received overtime to stake out Sheriff Elect Derwin Brown. Phyllis waited two years before filing a lawsuit against DeKalb County. Prior to filing suit she requested a meeting with the CEO of DeKalb County to talk things out and was told that there was nothing to discuss. With no other choice she filed suit with no success. Phyllis was denied the ability to sue DeKalb County all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. She was told that the Sheriff of DeKalb County was an officer of the state, and not the county. That is why she put in the claim with the State of Georgia.

Through the past six years the Brown family has gone through emotional and mental distress in dealing with the loss of the anchor of their family and legal battles. At the time of Derwin Brown’s death he had two minor children that were denied the opportunity to attend college due to financial and emotional distress. The young boys were left without the guidance that they so very badly needed from their father. They have become only a shell of who they could have become.

The stresses that were put on Phyllis during this time were too much to bear. Her health declined throughout the years until her death on December 24, 2006. Although Derwin and Phyllis are gone they left behind soldiers and the fight will continue.

We ask that you join in and support House Resolution 103 by signing this petition.