More than a sheriff: Local officials, friends pay tribute
to a fallen hero
Outside the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on Flat
Shoals Parkway last week, a slight rain glazed the asphalt, snow patches
scattered on the church's frozen lawn. Thousands of residents made their way to the building to pay tribute to a man
whose vision they said will not die so easily. It was cold outside. Inside the church, the spirit was warm.
MARTA police stood in groups in the church's foyer along with DeKalb County EMT
employees and hundreds of other county workers who knew Sheriff-elect Derwin
Brown. DeKalb County school teacher Sandra Hunter stood in the doorway of the church
where Brown's coffin lay under the American flag at the center of a row of
flowers. The Atherton Elementary School teacher said when she discovered Brown was dead,
she couldn't believe it. " It wasn't real," she said. "Im a realistic person, but it wasn't
real. It's very hard to accept." She said Brown's assassination has left a "hole in her heart." For
years she taught Brown's children math, science and social studies. "I knew Derwin Brown as more of a person than a sheriff," Ms. Hunter
said. "He was a parent who was in the school who stood for his children
getting a good education."The 15-year DeKalb County educator said if Brown felt something was wrong at the
school he would help solve the problem.
Most who spoke said Brown's vision will be carried on. His plans for the department were the major thrust of the more than half a dozen
speeches given by Brown's family, friends and dignitaries such as Lt. Gov. Mark
Taylor and DeKalb CEO Liane Levetan." The state of Georgia has received a fatal blow," Taylor told the
crowd. "And we will stand with this family and county with whatever
official capacity we have." Brown was gunned down in front of his south DeKalb home Dec. 15 sparking a
massive investigation and a $45,000 reward.
Though no suspects have been named, those who spoke were positive about the
outcome of the investigations.
Some even directly addressed Brown's killers. Geraldine Champion who, with three others, ran against Brown for the sheriff's
seat this summer, said Brown's ideas will live on. " Now God has Brown back," she said.
Then addressing the unnamed perpetrators she said, "You may have taken the
cream, but you left the crop." In the nearly-full sanctuary, those in attendance frequently shouted
"amen" to the comments the speakers made.
"Today, Sheriff Brown, I want to say thank you," Ms. Champion said.
"You're still my sheriff". Most speakers noted Brown's dignity and willingness to serve.
"He served his family and reached out to his community," said Taylor.
"His campaign for sheriff was a wonderful thing to watch." And most agreed Brown was a pioneer in law enforcement noting he wrote many
policies including the county policy on domestic violence which has become a
national model.
Ms. Levetan said Brown was courageous and able "to think outside the
box." And she concluded praising the reputation and respect Brown earned in the
county. "When a person is born everyone celebrates," she said. "When a
person dies everyone cries. " But it is a time of rejoicing when someone dies with a name like Derwin
Brown."
Adam Miller
DeKalb Neighbor Staff Writer
Sheriff-elect touched many lives in his career. Though
Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown spent the last 20 years of his life serving
DeKalb, his roots lie beyond the county. Though he was born in June 1954 at Fort Knox, Ky., Brown was reared on Long
Island, N.Y. Brown was a pupil in New York's public schools and later earned degrees in both
sociology and criminal justice from C.W. Post University on Long Island. He also earned a master's degree from Atlanta University and graduated from both
the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. and the National Sheriff's Academy. In 1977 he
married Phyllis Oliver. That same year he decided to begin a career
working for DeKalb County government as a youth group supervisor counseling
juvenile delinquents. In addition to helping youth outside his home, he fathered five children. Molly
Rhinehart, who knew Brown from talking with him at baseball games at Redan
ballpark, said he had a talent with young people. " He was dedicated and honest and excellent with children," she said.Brown later acquired a position in the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department where
he worked several positions. In 1979 he began work for the DeKalb Police
Department and climbed the ranks from master officer to sergeant to lieutenant.During this time, he worked for the county's Internal Affairs Unit and Narcotics
Unit. While working for these units he was instrumental in confiscating $2
million in drug money. Desiring to further improve his county, Brown ran unsuccessfully for DeKalb
County sheriff in 1996. However, he claimed the seat this year and was sworn in
Dec. 18 and would have taken office last week.
By Adam Miller
DeKalb Neighbor Staff Writer