Slain Tohono O’odham officer Brown ‘beloved by so many’
WHY – As the investigation continued Friday into the death of Tohono O’odham police Officer Bryan Brown, condolences and memories of the slain officer began to emerge across southern Arizona.
Brown died after attempting to make an arrest outside Why, west of Tucson, on Thursday. Prosecutors say a man stole Brown’s patrol vehicle, then ran the officer down as he opened fire.
Brown had worked as a school resource officer in the tribal community, where school officials described his impact.
“Everywhere he was, children would run up to him to give him hugs and acknowledge him,” Baboquivari Unified School District Superintendent Edna Morris said in a statement. “It was clear to me that he was beloved by so many.”
Brown was born in Washington state and went on to serve in the U.S. Army for eight years before becoming an officer, according to the tribe. He had worked for the Tohono O’odham Police Department since April 2001. He is survived by his wife, seven children, four stepchildren, eight grandchildren, seven siblings and his father.
‘We grieve with the entire Tohono O’Odham Nation’
In a neighborhood on Tucson’s south side, one resident had erected a makeshift memorial Friday morning. Behind a pair of votive candles was a large picture with a poster: “Forever in our hearts.”
“Today, we not only commemorate his tragic passing, but honor and remember him as he lived,” said Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Jr. in a statement. “We are grateful for his selfless dedication to serving and protecting our communities. His commitment made us all safer.”
Tohono O’odham Nation Vice Chairwoman Wavalene Saunders also expressed her condolences, telling the public to keep Brown’s colleagues in their thoughts and prayers.
“Please also think of his fellow officers who continue to put their lives on the line for us every day,” she said in a statement. “We are grieving this loss together as a Nation, and we are thankful for the outpouring of support and condolences from across the state.”
On social media, law enforcement official, lawmakers and Gov. Doug Ducey expressed condolences to Brown’s family and the Tohono O’odham Police Department.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Officer Bryan Brown, the Tohono O’odham Police Department, and the entire tribe as they mourn the loss of Officer Brown who was killed in the line of duty,” wrote U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko on Twitter.
Tucson police Officer Frank Magos said on Twitter,
A makeshift memorial for slain Tohono O’odham police Officer Bryan Brown sits outside a casino in Why, west of Tucson.
“We grieve with the entire Tohono O’Odham Nation over the loss of Ofc. Bryan Brown. My sincerest condolences to his family.”
Brown had been a school resource officer for the Baboquivari Unified School District, which is based in Sells, about 60 miles west of Tucson.
Superintendent Edna Morris in a statement on Facebook said Brown worked as a resource officer for the district for 10 years. She said students, parents and staff were saddened by the news of Brown’s death.
“He will always be remembered for his kindness, loyalty, integrity, and ability to connect with our children,” Morris wrote.
On Friday, prosecutors filed charges against Carlos Maximilliano Galvan in federal court in Tucson. They say Galvan stole Brown’s patrol vehicle, rammed a Border Patrol vehicle nearby, then drove toward Brown. As the officer fired at the oncoming vehicle, Galvan ran him over, the criminal complaint says.
So far in 2020, six police officers have died in Arizona, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, an organization that keeps track of officers who have died on-duty and off-duty.
The last time a Tohono O’odham police officer died in the line of duty was in April 1998, when Michael Steven Delagado was killed by a drunken driver, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.