General public memorial following Wednesday in Redmond for DCSO Lt. Ernie Brown, killed in Junction City bike crash

(Update: adding memorial info)

Longtime DCSO employee, killed in motorcycle crash, was with agency for 24 many years

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The public is invited to a memorial service future Wednesday at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds for sheriff’s Lt. Ernie Brown, a 24-calendar year veteran of the company who died Sunday following an off-responsibility motorcycle crash at a motocross keep track of in Junction Town.

The memorial will just take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Middle Sister setting up at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

Previously this 7 days, to start with responders and citizens lined the streets of Sisters and Bend to view the procession returning Brown to Bend and demonstrate their support for his family members and colleagues.

NewsChannel 21 spoke with some bystanders about why they ended up there.

Jill Kaufmann and Rebecca Battleson are disaster supervisors for Deschutes County Behavioral Health. They went to the procession and shared why they considered it was critical.

“Our business is next doorway to the sheriff’s office, and we normally perform along with the deputies and folks around there at the jail and sheriff’s office environment,” Kaufmann stated. “And just type of believe of them as coworkers and colleagues, and just needed to be there and support them as they’re working with this significant and tragic decline.”

Battleson shared the same sentiment.

“It can be important to me as a member of our neighborhood to come jointly in times of decline — specially tragic and unanticipated reduction — to display support,” Battleson stated.

Brown was driving a vintage motorcycle during off-highway races at the Eugene MX Park (Territorial Motocross Park) in Junction City when he crashed Sunday afternoon, Lane County sheriff’s Sergeant Thomas Speldrich explained.

Brown, who was 53, was transported to a hospital following the crash, but passed absent from the injuries he acquired, in accordance to the announcement by Deschutes County sheriff’s Sgt. Jayson Janes.

Brown began his vocation with the Sheriff’s Place of work 24 several years ago as a technician in the Corrections Division. He grew to become a corrections deputy in 2001.

“Through his time with the Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Brown proved himself to be a leader,” Janes explained. “Ernie acquired the rank of Sergeant in 2011. He afterwards became the Sheriff’s Office coaching Sergeant just before staying promoted to Lieutenant in 2019. Lt. Brown was also a founding member of the DCSO SWAT Group and the Sheriff’s Place of work Honor Guard.”

Lt. Brown was a veteran, acquiring proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.

Lt. Brown is survived by his wife and 3 adult small children.  His family members is requesting their privacy through this tragic time, Janes stated.

Sheriff Shane Nelson mentioned, “Ernie was a humble and sort gentleman, a selfless general public servant, and committed spouse, father, and grandfather. He touched many life and was always eager to lend a supporting hand to anyone. Our office has shed a fantastic teammate and friend, and our local community has dropped a focused general public servant.”

The announcement concluded with a assertion from the Brown/Piatt relatives: “Our loved ones would like to thank anyone for the outpouring of like and honor for our beloved partner, father, grandfather and mate.  Thank you for serving to us by means of this most difficult time.”