U.S. Customs Inspector Joseph Turner Brown

Joseph Turner Brown

Inspectors Joseph T. Brown and C.B. Sills were in San Sebastian in Cameron County when they confronted two men suspected of being smugglers. One of the men opened fire and wounded both officers. The officers returned fire and wounded one of the suspects. One suspect fled the scene and was later arrested. Both men were charged with murder. Sills suffered minor wounds to his hips and scalp. Turner suffered serious wounds and died at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 1940.

Inspector Brown was survived by his wife and four children. He was buried in Denton, Texas.