On August, 15, 2007 shortly before 10:00 pm, Officer Norvelle Brown was shot in an ambush at Semple Avenue and Martin Luther King Blvd. in North St. Louis by a 15-year-old suspect who had intended to kill a police officer.

Officer Brown was wearing a bullet resistant vest, but the bullet entered through the arm opening. Officer Brown was able to radio that he needed assistance. An undercover officer who quickly arrived at the scene, performed CPR and transported him to Barnes Jewish Hospital in the back of a squad car. An announcement was made at shortly after 11:00 pm that Officer Brown died from his injuries.

On August 17th, 2007, the 15-year-old male and an 18-year-old accomplice were arrested and charged with the murder of Officer Brown.

Officer Brown served with the St. Louis Police Department for one year.