Charles Douglas Brown Jr., 38, was a Martin County deputy sheriff killed in the line of duty on December 8, 2009, in Williamston, North Carolina. Officers had responded about 9:15 am to reports of a man walking down West Main Street firing a long gun. Officers located the suspect behind a residence; as Deputy Brown moved between points of cover the suspect confronted them with an assault rifle. Deputy Brown yelled for the weapon to be dropped and was struck by gunfire in the side beneath his body armor. Other officers returned fire, killing the suspect. Deputy Brown was taken to a local hospital and died shortly afterward.

A U.S. Marine Corps Desert Storm veteran, Deputy Brown served as a medic, worked in narcotics and K9 units, and served on the North Carolina Department of Corrections PERT team as a sniper. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and a brother. His funeral was held December 12, 2009, at the Sen. Bob Martin Agriculture Center.

If anyone witnessed the incident or has information about the moments leading up to it, please share what is known.