Thad F. Brown
Thaddeus Franklin Brown (December 7, 1902 - October 9, 1970) was the police chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from July 18, 1966 to February 17, 1967. Brown, who was the LAPD's Chief of Detectives, was appointed police chief on July 18, 1966, following Chief William H. Parker's death on July 16, 1966. Brown was succeeded by Thomas Reddin on February 17, 1967. His brother, Finis Brown, was also on the LAPD, and was one of the noteworthy police officers who investigated the Elizabeth Short murder, also known as the Black Dahlia murder.
Thaddeus Franklin Brown | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thaddeus Franklin Brown December 7, 1902 |
| Died | October 9, 1970 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Police career | |
| Country | United States |
| Department | Los Angeles Police Department |
| Service years | 1927–1966 |
| Rank |  |
Early life
Thad F. Brown was born in Missouri and lived there until his early twenties. At 15, he quit school to work for 17 1/2 cents an hour in the lead and zinc mines near Joplin, Missouri. Four years later, now a married man, he moved to California. Brown soon applied for the LAPD and became an officer on January 11, 1926. Brown's badge number is 869.
Police career
Brown investigated many high profile cases and their suspects, including L. Ewing Scott, Albert Dyer, William Edward "The Fox" Hickman, as well as Elizabeth Short's murder.
Portrayal in media
- In James Ellroy's 2014 novel, Perfidia, a fictionalized version of Thad Brown is portrayed as a supporting character.
- Brown's name was frequently mentioned on Dragnet in the early years, especially on the radio program: Detective Joe Friday's self-introduction would include "the boss is Thad Brown, chief of detectives." Brown also makes an uncredited cameo as himself in the 1954 film.
External links
- http://www.lmharnisch.com/thad_brown.html retrieved November 20, 2014
- Thad F. Brown on IMDb retrieved November 20, 2014
- "Thad F. Brown". Find a Grave. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
Further reading
- Hodel, Steve. The Black Dahlia Avenger: The True Story, Arcade Publishing, 2003, ISBN 1-55970-664-3
- Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder, Harper Perennial, 2004, ISBN 0-06-058995-7
- Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger II: Presenting the Follow-Up Investigation and Further Evidence Linking Dr. George Hill Hodel to Los Angeles's Black Dahlia and other 1940s- LONE WOMAN MURDERS, Thoughtprint Press, 2012, ISBN 978-0-9830744-4-1
- Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger II 2014: Presenting the Follow-Up Investigation and Further Evidence Linking Dr. George Hill Hodel to Los Angeles's Black Dahlia and other 1940s Lone Woman Murders, Thoughtprint Press, 2014, ISBN 978-0983074434
| Police appointments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William H. Parker |
Chief of LAPD 1966–1967 |
Succeeded by Thomas Reddin |