FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Lafayette Woods, Jr.

Operation Commander/Public Information Officer

870.541.5351-OFFICE/870.329.5652-CELL

Email: lafayette.woods@jeffcoso.org

PASSING OF RETIRED JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S MAJOR VIRGIL BROWN: Jefferson County, Arkansas – November 10, 2014- It is with great sadness, Sheriff Gerald Robinson and the men and women of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announce the passing of Retired Deputy Sheriff-Major Virgil Brown on November 7, 2014.

Retired Major Virgil Brown, 79 of Sherwood, Arkansas and former resident of Jefferson County passed away November 7, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.  Born November 26, 1934, near Keo, Arkansas, Major Brown was the son of the late Nicholas and Bridgie Brown of Sherrill, Arkansas.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Brown, sisters, Irene Brown-Jones-Fuller, Elwanda Brown-Merriman, and grandson Brian Keith Brown.

Major Brown was a man of service. He loved his family, country and community.  Major Brown received his early childhood education in Sherrill, Arkansas.  During the latter part of the Korean War, Major Brown joined the United States Army, where he served his country proudly.  Major Brown’s tour of duty included Korea during the Korean War, Japan, and the United States as a Military Police Officer for over 10 years.  

Following his military service, Major Brown returned home, where he began what would be a 35 year long law enforcement career that included service with the Pine Bluff Police Department, Camden Police Department.  In 1977, Major Brown joined the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office, where he quickly rose through the ranks and spent 22 years before retiring as the Major of Operations/Criminal Investigations.  Major Brown was also a F.B.I. National Academy graduate and a certified Law Enforcement instructor.  After hanging up the badge, Major Brown enjoyed his life as a retiree and spent most of his time with his family. “Once a deputy always a deputy, public service was in his blood until his final days.  Major Brown was a man of service to his country and community.”

Survivors of Major Brown include his loving wife Bonnie Brown of 58 years of marriage, sons, Keith Brown and his wife Cindy of Little Rock and Kevin Brown and his wife Angie of Sherwood, sisters, Ruby Ricketson, Barbara Smith, Kathryn Power, Chrystine Kelly; and brother, Nicholas “Jerry” Brown; 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends for Major Brown’s Life Celebration on Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral service scheduled to commence at 11:30 a.m. at Roller-Owens Funeral Home located at 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd in North Little Rock, AR.  Interment will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in Sherwood Arkansas.

Servings as pallbearers will be members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.

Condolences to the family may be made at http://www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/services.asp?locid=&page=odetail&id=36103.

     1934 - 2014