Travis Brown, a 36-year-old cop and father who previously worked for the St. Louis County Police Department, is currently fighting for his life after being violently shoved during protests on the anniversary of Michael Brown’s fatal shooting. The former Chief of Police, Tim Fitch, who hired Brown and worked with him until his retirement in 2014, described Brown as ambitious with an infectious smile. Brown quickly rose through the ranks and was known for his specialized unit assignments during his time with St. Louis County.
After being viciously shoved to the ground by a demonstrator on the 10-year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death, Travis Brown suffered a severe brain injury and remains in critical condition in a Missouri hospital. The Ferguson community, including his family and colleagues, are holding a vigil by his bedside as they hope for his recovery. Fitch expressed concerns about Brown’s future in law enforcement, questioning whether he will be able to return to work if he survives the assault.
Prior to joining the Ferguson Police Department in January, Brown served with the St. Louis County Police Department and was involved in specialized units including the SWAT team. Since his injury, the Ferguson Police Department has rallied around Brown, supporting him and his family during this difficult time. During an emotional press conference, Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle released graphic footage of the assault, showing the severity of the incident and the impact it had on Brown and his colleagues.
Doyle, who previously worked with Fitch in St. Louis County, was appointed to lead the Ferguson Police Department in 2023 and has been praised for his handling of the situation. Fitch described Doyle as someone who is “made for” navigating difficult circumstances and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the department through this challenging time. Despite the department’s efforts to rebuild and foster community relationships since Michael Brown’s killing in 2014, the recent violence against officers has reignited concerns and fears within the community.
The footage released by Chief Doyle showed the brutal assault on Travis Brown, with Doyle criticizing the demonstrator for treating the police department as a “punching bag.” Despite the department’s efforts to diversify and improve community relations, incidents like the assault on Brown highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement. Fitch, who has worked closely with both the Ferguson Police Department and the St. Louis County Police Department, expressed disappointment in the violence and hoped that the community could move past this divisive and destructive behavior.
As Brown continues to fight for his life, the Ferguson community remains hopeful for his recovery and shows ongoing support for him and his family. The assault on Brown has renewed concerns about the safety of law enforcement officers and the challenges they face in serving their communities. Despite the difficulties, the Ferguson Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Doyle, remains committed to serving the community and maintaining public safety in the face of adversity.
