John J. Brown was born April 17, 1947, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He served with the US Army from September 16, 1966, to July 10, 1968. He was a military policeman and also served a year in Vietnam.
Trooper Brown enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police from Philadelphia on June 25, 1970. Following graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop J, Lancaster. He was 23 years old and 5’8½” tall.
On January 31, 1985, Trooper Brown was investigating an accident on US Route 1 in Chester County when he was struck by an out-of-control vehicle. The highway was snow- and ice-covered. Trooper Brown was taken to Southern Chester County Medical Center where he died of his injuries on February 14, 1985.
Trooper Brown was buried with full military honors at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Marple, Delaware County.
He was survived by his wife, Sandra; daughter, Cara; and parents, William and Delia Brown. His father is a former Philadelphia City police officer.
Trooper Brown, 37, had served 14 years and 8 months with the Pennsylvania State Police.