Officer killed in Orlando shooting had 'unwavering spirit'

The Army Reserve officer killed Sunday morning in the Orlando nightclub massacre had been in uniform for nearly eight years, deployed to Kuwait for 11 months during the drawdown from Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was remembered by his commanding officer as a leader who "truly cared about the Soldiers in his charge."

Capt. Antonio D. Brown, 30, was one of 49 victims in the deadliest shooting in U.S. history. Twenty-seven others who were injured when a gunman opened fire at Pulse nightclub remained hospitalized as of Tuesday afternoon, USA Today reported, including six in critical condition. The gunman reportedly died in a shootout with police.
Brown had been assigned to the St. Louis-based 3rd Battalion, 383rd Regiment, 4th Cavalry Brigade, 85th Support Command, since November 2013, where he served as a Troop Program Unit soldier, according to an Army news release.

"Captain Tony Brown was a loyal and dutiful United States Army Reserve officer who truly cared about the Soldiers in his charge," Lt. Col. Kevin Dasher, commanding officer of 3-383rd, said in the release, adding that while with the unit, Brown "faced any and all challenges with a smile on his face, and an unwavering spirit that everyone in our unit cherished.

"Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family in this time of tragedy."
Similar messages of condolence and appreciation flooded Facebook after Brown was named among the victims, from members of the Army community, alumni and students of Florida A&M University — Brown earned a criminal justice degree and was with the ROTC program — and others paying their respects.

Army Secretary Eric Fanning mentioned Brown in a Facebook post on the shooting, saying the officer's death made the event "even more personal."






Post by erickfanning.

Brown received his commission in August 2008 and was assigned to the Decatur, Georgia-based 642nd Combat Support Group, according to the Army release. He served on active duty with 1st Special Troop Battalion out of Fort Riley, Kansas, beginning in May 2009, eventually deploying to Kuwait with that unit.

He made captain in March 2012 and was reassigned briefly to the 642nd that May, per the release, before joining 2nd Battalion, 350th Regiment, at Camp Blanding, Florida, that August.
Brown earned a Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Achievement Medals and two Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals among other awards and decorations, the release states.

The Army lists his home of record as Orlando; the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat reported he was a native of Cocoa Beach, about an hour's drive west from the city.

Brown worked as a human resources manager at a Lowe's in Fern Park, Florida, about 10 miles north of the Orlando city center, according to the Orlando Sentinel.