St, Louis Police Officer Norvelle Brown, 22, was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest at Semple Avenue
and Martin Luther King Blvd. in North St. Louis.
Officer Brown was wearing a bullet resistant vest, but the bullet entered through his armpit, hit his lung and pierced an artery.
Officer Brown was able to radio that he needed assistance and an undercover officer who quickly arrived at the scene performed CPR and transported Officer Brown to Barnes Jewish Hospital in the back of a squad car. Officer Brown later died from his wounds.
Officer Brown had served with the St. Louis Police Department for one year.
Friends who gathered outside the hospital described Brown as a dedicated officer who volunteered as a youth coach with the Police Athletic League. He was just a very positive person.
The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"
Today, the St. Louis Police Officers' Association mourns the loss of Officer Norvelle Brown. This fine young man, who dedicated his life to serving his community, has given the ultimate sacrifice in his mission to make the City of St. Louis a safe place to live for all residents.
As police officers in St. Louis, we know the dangers that face us each day. Regardless, we put on our uniforms and head out to combat those dangers knowing that we are making a difference.
Officer Brown held a true passion for serving his community. It is tragic to see that heartfelt passion and service which this young officer lived each day come to such an abrupt end.
We ask the community to stand together to support his family, his neighborhood, and the family of police men and women with whom he served as we mourn the loss of Officer Brown.
A special thank you to Heather for sponsoring this memorial.
NOTE: The person who shot and killed him was found guilty August, 2009
and Martin Luther King Blvd. in North St. Louis.
Officer Brown was wearing a bullet resistant vest, but the bullet entered through his armpit, hit his lung and pierced an artery.
Officer Brown was able to radio that he needed assistance and an undercover officer who quickly arrived at the scene performed CPR and transported Officer Brown to Barnes Jewish Hospital in the back of a squad car. Officer Brown later died from his wounds.
Officer Brown had served with the St. Louis Police Department for one year.
Friends who gathered outside the hospital described Brown as a dedicated officer who volunteered as a youth coach with the Police Athletic League. He was just a very positive person.
The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"
Today, the St. Louis Police Officers' Association mourns the loss of Officer Norvelle Brown. This fine young man, who dedicated his life to serving his community, has given the ultimate sacrifice in his mission to make the City of St. Louis a safe place to live for all residents.
As police officers in St. Louis, we know the dangers that face us each day. Regardless, we put on our uniforms and head out to combat those dangers knowing that we are making a difference.
Officer Brown held a true passion for serving his community. It is tragic to see that heartfelt passion and service which this young officer lived each day come to such an abrupt end.
We ask the community to stand together to support his family, his neighborhood, and the family of police men and women with whom he served as we mourn the loss of Officer Brown.
A special thank you to Heather for sponsoring this memorial.
NOTE: The person who shot and killed him was found guilty August, 2009
St, Louis Police Officer Norvelle Brown, 22, was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest at Semple Avenue
and Martin Luther King Blvd. in North St. Louis.
Officer Brown was wearing a bullet resistant vest, but the bullet entered through his armpit, hit his lung and pierced an artery.
Officer Brown was able to radio that he needed assistance and an undercover officer who quickly arrived at the scene performed CPR and transported Officer Brown to Barnes Jewish Hospital in the back of a squad car. Officer Brown later died from his wounds.
Officer Brown had served with the St. Louis Police Department for one year.
Friends who gathered outside the hospital described Brown as a dedicated officer who volunteered as a youth coach with the Police Athletic League. He was just a very positive person.
The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"
Today, the St. Louis Police Officers' Association mourns the loss of Officer Norvelle Brown. This fine young man, who dedicated his life to serving his community, has given the ultimate sacrifice in his mission to make the City of St. Louis a safe place to live for all residents.
As police officers in St. Louis, we know the dangers that face us each day. Regardless, we put on our uniforms and head out to combat those dangers knowing that we are making a difference.
Officer Brown held a true passion for serving his community. It is tragic to see that heartfelt passion and service which this young officer lived each day come to such an abrupt end.
We ask the community to stand together to support his family, his neighborhood, and the family of police men and women with whom he served as we mourn the loss of Officer Brown.
A special thank you to Heather for sponsoring this memorial.
NOTE: The person who shot and killed him was found guilty August, 2009
and Martin Luther King Blvd. in North St. Louis.
Officer Brown was wearing a bullet resistant vest, but the bullet entered through his armpit, hit his lung and pierced an artery.
Officer Brown was able to radio that he needed assistance and an undercover officer who quickly arrived at the scene performed CPR and transported Officer Brown to Barnes Jewish Hospital in the back of a squad car. Officer Brown later died from his wounds.
Officer Brown had served with the St. Louis Police Department for one year.
Friends who gathered outside the hospital described Brown as a dedicated officer who volunteered as a youth coach with the Police Athletic League. He was just a very positive person.
The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"
Today, the St. Louis Police Officers' Association mourns the loss of Officer Norvelle Brown. This fine young man, who dedicated his life to serving his community, has given the ultimate sacrifice in his mission to make the City of St. Louis a safe place to live for all residents.
As police officers in St. Louis, we know the dangers that face us each day. Regardless, we put on our uniforms and head out to combat those dangers knowing that we are making a difference.
Officer Brown held a true passion for serving his community. It is tragic to see that heartfelt passion and service which this young officer lived each day come to such an abrupt end.
We ask the community to stand together to support his family, his neighborhood, and the family of police men and women with whom he served as we mourn the loss of Officer Brown.
A special thank you to Heather for sponsoring this memorial.
NOTE: The person who shot and killed him was found guilty August, 2009
