Detective Alex Brown was shot and killed when he attempted to question a forgery suspect.

On Dec 18, 1928, Detectives Brown and Ed Hall went to the suspect's home to question him. The suspect pulled a gun and disarmed the detectives then ran to Detective Browns car to escape. Detective Brown went to a neighbor's house and got a shotgun. When Detective Brown confronted the suspect the shotgun failed to fire and the suspect shot and killed Detective Brown.

On January 14, 1929, the 26-year-suspect was apprehended in Marshall, Texas, after being shot in the arm by police during a chase.

Detective Brown joined the Joplin Police Department in 1918. He served as Patrol Captain in 1923 and 1924. In 1925 he became a City Detective. Interred: Fairview Cemetery, Joplin, MO.