James L. Brown

James "Jim" L. Brown Sr., age 81 passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 9, 2024. He was born to the late Ernest and Mildred Brown on March 9, 1943 in Lexington, KY. Jim was originally from Morehead, Kentucky where he graduated from Rowan County Senior High School in 1961.

In 1964, Jim began his law enforcement career as a Kentucky State Trooper, proudly wearing badge 438. In 1969, he joined the U.S. Department of the Treasury, working in The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as a special agent at the Pineville, Kentucky field office. Over the next 31 years, Jim held numerous positions within the ATF, including Resident Agent in Charge (Ashland, Kentucky), Operations Officer (Bureau Headquarters Washington, D.C.), Assistant Special Agent in Charge (Jackson, Mississippi), Assistant Special Agent in Charge (Chicago, Illinois), Special Agent in Charge (Louisville, Kentucky), Special Agent in Charge (Miami, Florida), Chief of the Special Operations Division (Bureau Headquarters Washington, D.C.), Chief of the Explosives Division (Bureau Headquarters Washington, D.C.) and Deputy Associate Director of the Criminal Enforcement Division (Bureau Headquarters Washington, D.C.). While serving as Deputy Associate Director Jim supervised criminal enforcement divisions in various field offices across the United States. Jim served as the Division Director and Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville, Kentucky field office before retiring in 2000 after more than 31 years of service with the ATF.

Jim was a lifelong member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police, the Kentucky Peace Officers Association, where he previously served as president.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mildred Brown; and Son-in-Law, Al Farrell.

Left to cherish Jim's memory are his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Ann Brown; children, Jaime Brown, James Brown Jr., Joseph Brown (Kristen), Terri Speaks (Jack) and Melissa Farrell; sister, Teana Christopher, granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Kennedy, Caroline and Adeline; four nieces, one nephew, two great nieces; and numerous extended family members and friends.

After retiring Jim cherished visits with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching reruns of Gunsmoke and The Andy Griffith Show, as well as quiet evenings smoking his pipe, listening to bluegrass music. Although his job took him all across the country Kentucky was always his home.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home (706 W Jefferson Street, Lagrange, KY 40031). The funeral service will be held Friday, June 14, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (2835 Flemingsburg Road, Morehead, KY 40351).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trooper Island Inc., Kentucky State Police, 919 Versailles Road Frankfort, KY 40601.