Deputy Sheriff Tyee Browne
Officer: Crisp County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sheriff Tyee Michael Browne
Date: 7/5/2023 Location: Cordele, GA FACTORS (1,2,8,15)
Perpetrator(s) Involved: Croshawn Gerard Cross
Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Cross was suspected of several recent burglaries and had prior felony convictions. / Yes, Cross was illegally in possession of a stolen vehicle and firearms.
Mental Illness: None stated.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.
Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/25
What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At around 3:40 a.m. on July 5, 2023, Crisp County Deputy Sheriff Tyee Browne was investigating a suspicious vehicle in the middle of the roadway. After discovering the vehicle was stolen and the driver, “Croshawn Cross, was wanted on several charges and could be armed,” Deputy Browne exited his patrol vehicle to approach the stolen car.
Actions taken by subject toward police: Cross opened fire on Deputy Browne as he exited his patrol vehicle, fatally wounding the deputy and then stealing his patrol vehicle to flee the scene.
Reactions by the police: Responding deputies shot at Cross as he fled and eventually took him into custody after a multi-county chase lasting several hours.
How murdered? Deputy Browne was shot while investigating a suspicious vehicle.
What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Immediately upon hearing the vehicle was stolen and the driver was possibly armed, Deputy Browne should have remained behind cover while calling for Cross to exit his vehicle at gunpoint.
Would the officer have been justified in using deadly force before being murdered? Had Deputy Browne seen Cross making a furtive movement or possessing the weapon he would have been justified to use deadly force.
Outcome for the cop-killer: Along with numerous other felony charges, Cross pled guilty to the malice murder of Deputy Browne and was “sentenced to life without parole with a consecutive life sentence.”
Miscellaneous: At only 25, Cross was already a convicted felon yet he was roaming free and ignoring the gun laws.
