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08-19-2007, 15:41
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/0522860B1ED56CC0862573390011078F?OpenDocument
ST. LOUIS -- An acclaimed police officer who stopped an armed robbery in May was gunned down last night not far from where his heroic act took place, police said today.
Officer Norvelle T. Brown, 22, was on routine patrol when an unknown gunman shot him. At 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Brown radioed his department to tell the dispatcher that he had been shot.
Police found him in an alley just north of 1608 Semple Avenue in the Wells/Goodfellow neighborhood. Brown died at the hospital at 10:53 p.m.
Police Chief Joe Mokwa told reporters this afternoon that Brown was shot in the back of the left shoulder. The bullet pierced both of his lungs and exited through his right armpit.
Authorities reported no arrests.
"We feel we are making progress, although we have nothing solid to report," Mokwa said.
Police found Brown's service weapon at the scene but said they do not believe it was used against him. Police later found a .38-cal. revolver believed to be the gun that shot Brown between the sidewalk and a curb at 1603 Semple, police said. A .357 Magnum also was found.
At the time of the shooting, Brown was trying to detain a suspect who police have said has not yet been located. As many as two other people may have been there as well. Details about their interaction were not determined.
Police made a grid search of the area, using dogs and helicopoters, but could not locate a suspect.
"It was senseless, what happened," said Brown's stepfather, Kevin Brown. "He was just doing his job."
"He was just keeping the streets safe," said Mark Harris, Brown's uncle. "He loved his job. He just loved it."
Brown, 22, joined the police department in March of 2006 as a recruit in training. He graduated from the police academy on Nov. 2, 2006 and was assigned to the Seventh District. Even though he was a new officer, Brown had already earned great respect from the force.
On May 26, 2007, Brown and another officer, Michael Ehnes, were on foot patrol in the area of St. Louis Avenue and Union Boulevard, where several armed robberies had happened in the previous weeks. Citizens told them that a barber shop on Union was being robbed. Brown and Ehnes quickly got there and found a masked gunman. The gunman had four customers lying face down on the floor and was holding the owner of the barber shop at gunpoint.
The two officers drew their guns and ordered the gunman to drop his gun. The suspect dropped his gun and was taken into custody. The two officers were able to recover the owner's money and a .380 semi-automatic pistol.
On June 19, Chief Mokwa gave Brown and Ehnes a Chief's Letter of Commendation award for their work.
Brown was a coach of the Police Athletic League and a 2003 graduate of Vashon High School.
Vashon Head Football Coach Reggie Ferguson said the team has been taken aback by the news that one of their own was killed Wednesday night.
Brown, known to his Vashon family as "Chito," played defensive back for the team in 2002-2003. Ferguson said the young man was fast and determined.
"He never quit on a play," Ferguson said.
The coach said Brown was still a presence around the team, mentoring the new players and serving as a role model.
"His death has touched us all," Ferguson said.
Police are asking anyone with information to call the police department or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477.
ST. LOUIS -- An acclaimed police officer who stopped an armed robbery in May was gunned down last night not far from where his heroic act took place, police said today.
Officer Norvelle T. Brown, 22, was on routine patrol when an unknown gunman shot him. At 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Brown radioed his department to tell the dispatcher that he had been shot.
Police found him in an alley just north of 1608 Semple Avenue in the Wells/Goodfellow neighborhood. Brown died at the hospital at 10:53 p.m.
Police Chief Joe Mokwa told reporters this afternoon that Brown was shot in the back of the left shoulder. The bullet pierced both of his lungs and exited through his right armpit.
Authorities reported no arrests.
"We feel we are making progress, although we have nothing solid to report," Mokwa said.
Police found Brown's service weapon at the scene but said they do not believe it was used against him. Police later found a .38-cal. revolver believed to be the gun that shot Brown between the sidewalk and a curb at 1603 Semple, police said. A .357 Magnum also was found.
At the time of the shooting, Brown was trying to detain a suspect who police have said has not yet been located. As many as two other people may have been there as well. Details about their interaction were not determined.
Police made a grid search of the area, using dogs and helicopoters, but could not locate a suspect.
"It was senseless, what happened," said Brown's stepfather, Kevin Brown. "He was just doing his job."
"He was just keeping the streets safe," said Mark Harris, Brown's uncle. "He loved his job. He just loved it."
Brown, 22, joined the police department in March of 2006 as a recruit in training. He graduated from the police academy on Nov. 2, 2006 and was assigned to the Seventh District. Even though he was a new officer, Brown had already earned great respect from the force.
On May 26, 2007, Brown and another officer, Michael Ehnes, were on foot patrol in the area of St. Louis Avenue and Union Boulevard, where several armed robberies had happened in the previous weeks. Citizens told them that a barber shop on Union was being robbed. Brown and Ehnes quickly got there and found a masked gunman. The gunman had four customers lying face down on the floor and was holding the owner of the barber shop at gunpoint.
The two officers drew their guns and ordered the gunman to drop his gun. The suspect dropped his gun and was taken into custody. The two officers were able to recover the owner's money and a .380 semi-automatic pistol.
On June 19, Chief Mokwa gave Brown and Ehnes a Chief's Letter of Commendation award for their work.
Brown was a coach of the Police Athletic League and a 2003 graduate of Vashon High School.
Vashon Head Football Coach Reggie Ferguson said the team has been taken aback by the news that one of their own was killed Wednesday night.
Brown, known to his Vashon family as "Chito," played defensive back for the team in 2002-2003. Ferguson said the young man was fast and determined.
"He never quit on a play," Ferguson said.
The coach said Brown was still a presence around the team, mentoring the new players and serving as a role model.
"His death has touched us all," Ferguson said.
Police are asking anyone with information to call the police department or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477.