It was a truly joyous occasion to behold last Friday, a combination of family reunion, church laityday service, and practically a 21-gun salute all rolled into one.When a longtime community favorite son returns home, carrying a new honor or accolade, it can be inspiring to witness them reflect on who helped them climb that mountain, as well as hear from those who assisted along the way.
Such was the case with the public swearing- in ceremony of U.S.MarshalThomas Edison Brownto the federal courts of the Northern District of Georgia last week.Brown is now charged with the security of all federal courts in Atlanta and across the Northern District, pursuing fugitives, serving federal arrest warrants, and the safe and secure transfer of federal inmates, detainees, and those convicted but not yet sentenced.
U.S. Marshal is a federal and presidential appointment, involving the two Senators of each state, and in Georgia also involves a screening and nominating committee. Brown puthis name in the Stetson, but according to committee members he was far and away their top choice anyway. Then followed a year of vetting by the FBI and other federal agencies.Brown was appointed by PresidentJoe Bidenearly in his first year in office, confirmed later by the U.S. Senate, and most recently, officially sworn into the role.
Though providing security for federal courthouses may sound like a night watchmen’s job, remember the 1995 bombing ofthe Alfred P. Murrah Federal Buildingin Oklahoma City that killed 168 people and seriously or critically injured dozens more.
Or consider the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, when a 1,336pound hydrogen-nitrate explosive device exploded in a parking garage under the North Tower, intended to upend and crash that building into the South Tower and take down both, a crime later successfully accomplished from the air on 9/11/2001.The World Trade Center Towers were also home to the regional New York offices of multiple federal agencies and law enforcement divisions as well.
The work of U.S.
Marshals in protecting all these people and assets is serious business.
And you might say Tom Brown’s personal “Marshal Plan” has been progressing for some time now.When only 32 years old, he was appointed fire chief in DeKalb County by then-CEOManuel Maloof.In 1989, Maloof promoted Brown to Public Safety Director, overseeing police, fire, and EMS response services in DeKalb County and beginning his career in law enforcement.
Later, in one of DeKalb’s darkest hours, new Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown(no relation), was gunned down outside his home not long after the elections of 2000.
Later, after being bested by Derwin Brown in the election, outgoing SheriffMelvin Dorseywas arrested for ordering the hit on his opponent.
Dorsey did not confess to the crime until 2007, in part to reduce his sentence, but he was convicted and sent to prison for life, plus two years.
Tom Brown left a safe, county government job, for the rigors of elective office, seeking the Dekalb County sheriff’s office, during a Special Election following the murder.With several opponents on the ballot, Brown won 87 percent of the vote and the following three elections after 12 more years in office.
But Brown’s attitude and gratitude kept him moving forward and gave him more time for his family – as well as his golf game.He built a successful consultancy business, guiding other sheriffs, as well as several side businesses, including at one time a cigar bar.
Seated up front at this most-recent ceremony, escorting former DeKalb CEOLiane Levetan,I was also seated next toJudge Glenda Hatchett,now ofThe Verdict with Judge Hatchett,and another DeKalb County favorite daughter, as well as longtime juvenile court judge, who left a lucrative career in corporate law with Delta Air Lines to also answer the call to serve.
There were a lot of folks like that in the room, including six African American sheriffs from Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale and Taliaferro counties ... each there to thank and congratulate their friend and mentor, Tom Brown.
My grandmother,Mary L. Crane,introduced me to Tom Brown when I wasstillin my late teens, and each time I have seen him in the decades since, his smile, demeanor, calm, and attitude of gratitude always make me feel like our community is just a bit better, and certainly a bit safer for his presence.
My tip of the hat to you Marshal. Well played sir.
Photos by Bill Crane: Cutlines - U.S. Federal Court Judge Eleanor L.
Ross swearing-in U.S.
Marshall Thomas E.
Brown for the Northern District of Georgia Sheriffs Line-Up Henry Sheriff Reginald Scandrett, Gwinnett Sheriff Keybo Taylor, DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox, Fulton Sheriff Pat Labat, and Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett attend the ceremony.