SAYING GOODBYE
Sheriff’s Office Deputy who died Sunday is laid to rest
WATERVLIET, N.Y. » Family members, friends and members of law enforcement gathered Friday to remember the life of Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Deputy John Brown.
“John was well-liked by everyone in the department. He had a smile on all of the time, constantly. He worked hard at what he did, and he had a laugh that you wouldn’t forget,” Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo said before the service at Grace Fellowship Church on Friday. “For the residents of Saratoga County, they’re going to miss a great member of law enforcement and a great member of my department.”
Brown, 45, was training for an ironman triathlon Sunday in Albany when he collapsed and died.
The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office offers a program where deputies rotate through the investigation unit on a three-month basis. Brown had a vision of being an investigator, and it was his turn to take the program.
“He was almost three weeks doing it,” said Zurlo. “He came in to see me last Thursday and told me how much loved doing that job and his goal was to take the test and get on the list of being an investigator.”
Zurlo posthumously promoted Brown to the rank of investigator and presented his family with his certificate of
promotion on Wednesday.
Following the promotion on Wednesday, the Flag Ceremony was held; where the American Flag flown over the Sheriff’s Office was lowered and presented to the family of Investigator Brown by the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and Zurlo.
The Patriot Guard Riders of New York, at his family’s request, stood for Brown on Friday. The organization honors military members who have died.
“It’s an awful thing,” said assistant state captain of the Patriot Guard Riders of New York Ray Sestak. “It’s an awful tragedy.”
Brown, who served as a U.S. Marine, was buried in Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville on Friday with military honors.
Zurlo said Friday morning that he never received a complaint about Brown from anyone in the Halfmoon area where the deputy was stationed.
“He did his job. He was always there,” said Zurlo. “He was always there for the residents and the citizens of Saratoga County.”
Brown leaves behind his wife and son.
“Our thoughts and prayers to Jessica and their son, Miles, and their parents. They’re part of my family now,” Zurlo said. “They will not be forgotten
after today. We’ll take care of them in whatever they need.”
Zurlo talked about who Brown was a person.
“I had a private conversation with his wife to
tell her what a great husband he was, great family man. I’m getting so many emails from residents of the county where he’s touched their lives in different situations whether it was an unattended
death and he was there, showing compassion for the family,” said Zurlo. “He’s just a great guy. He worked real hard, got a long with everybody and he’s going to be missed.”