County 5 Honor Florida State Trooper George A. "Andy" Brown, III: Killed in the Line of Duty
Posted September 6, 2019 06:15 am
Commissioner Toby Witt reads a proclamation
honoring fallen FHP Trooper George A. Brown,
III.
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –
Last night, the Columbia County 5 honored the
memory of Florida State Trooper George A. Brown,
III, a 33 year veteran of FHP, who in 2004, died
in the line of duty while overtaking a traffic
violator in Columbia County.
The County 5 recognized Trooper Brown by proclaiming a portion of I-75 between mile markers 418 and 423 as the Sergeant George A. Brown, III, Memorial Highway.
The Story
Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant George A. “Andy” Brown, III (1948-2004), a veteran FHP officer, was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at 10:00 a.m., while overtaking a violator on County Road 341 in Columbia County, approximately six miles south of Lake City.
Both vehicles were traveling south on County Road 341.
Sergeant Brown’s vehicle left the roadway striking several trees. Sergeant Brown was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sergeant Brown was born in Oil City, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 1948. On July 11, 1967, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal on February 14, 1969.
Sergeant "Andy" Brown was a second generation trooper
Sergeant George A. “Andy” Brown, III, age 55, began his career with the Florida Highway Patrol on July 6, 1970, becoming a second-generation trooper. He was a member of the 37th Recruit Class, where he served as a Platoon Leader. His first duty assignment was Troop E – Miami. Sergeant Brown also served as a trooper in the following districts in districts throughout Florida.
On June 15, 1982, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and assigned to Troop G – Palatka as a Law Enforcement Airplane Pilot I.
On December 1, 1983, he transferred to Troop D – Sanford and served as a Law Enforcement Airplane Pilot I.
On November 16, 1984, he was reassigned to Troop D – Deland and served as a Law Enforcement Airplane Pilot I.
On December 2, 1985, he was reassigned to Troop G – Jacksonville and served as a Law Enforcement Airplane Pilot I.
On April 1, 1986, his Jacksonville position was transferred to Troop G – Palatka.
On July 17, 1995, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, first line supervisor, and remained in Palatka.
He retired from the Patrol in Palatka on June 30, 1996, as a Law Enforcement Sergeant.
He Missed the Job and Came Back
After being retired for almost a year, Sergeant Brown re-applied for employment with the Patrol.
He was rehired on April 1, 1997, as a Sergeant, Law Enforcement Airplane Pilot I, and assigned to Troop B – Lake City.
In 2004, FHP wrote: "Sergeant Brown dedicated his career to highway safety and traffic law enforcement, making his community a better place in which to live. Although the death of Sergeant Brown comes as a great loss, we will cherish the fond memories in our hearts forever."
Sergeant Brown was the 38th Florida State Trooper killed in the line of duty.
Photos of Trooper Brown: FHP; historical story information from FHP and combined sources
