By Gary A. Harki and Janie Bryant
The Virginian-Pilot
NORFOLK, Va. — The man who killed a Norfolk police officer Friday night had pulled a pocket knife on a deputy four years ago, according to a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
Paula Miller said the deputy was working a part-time security job at an Ocean View bar and was trying to escort James Andrew Brown out on Oct. 23, 2010.
Miller was not sure which bar the incident occurred in, but under terms of a plea agreement he was ordered to stay away from Greenies, the Ocean View Fishing Pier and The Thirsty Camel.
Miller said she believes a police officer had driven by the bar and witnessed the deputy as he wrestled with Brown to get the knife.
Brown had originally been charged with felony assault on an officer and disorderly conduct, according to General District Court records.
The disorder conduct charge was dropped and the assault charge was reduced to a misdemeanor under terms of a plea agreement.
He was sentenced to serve a year in jail.
On Friday night, Brown shot Brian Jones, a 35-year-old police officer, and and Mark Rodriguez, a 17-year-old who had just left a graduation celebration. Brown was killed after he tried to wrestle a gun from another officer.
Had he been found guilty of the felony charge in 2010, he would not have been able to legally own a gun.
Miller did not identify the the deputy whom Brown assaulted in 2010. She said he is no longer with the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office.
Copyright 2014 The Virginian-Pilot