Notorious Offender Receives 55-Year Sentence for Murder of Federal Officer
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly sentenced Floyd Brown to 55 years in federal prison for the killing of Special Deputy U.S. Marshal Jacob Keltner. Earlier this year, a jury in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois convicted Brown, 43, of second-degree murder of a federal officer, attempting to kill additional federal officers, assault of federal officers, and multiple firearm offenses
Special Deputy Keltner was a 13-year law enforcement veteran, served as a McHenry County Sheriff’s deputy, and was a sworn member of the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.
On March 7, 2019, the Task Force attempted to execute a warrant for Brown’s arrest at a Rockford hotel regarding a residential burglary charge and parole violation. , Brown fired ten shots in response to the officers’ attempts to access his third-floor hotel room. The shots narrowly missed a Deputy U.S. Marshal and two Special Deputy U.S. Marshals. As Brown jumped out of a window to escape, he fired the shot that struck Special Deputy Keltner, who was covering the hotel’s exterior, before fleeing the scene in his vehicle.
A high-speed pursuit ended with Brown’s arrest several hours later.
Rockford Police Department Deputy Chief John Pozzi stated that the parole violation was the main reason the task force was activated to arrest him and further noted the potential dangers of serving a warrant.
“Any time you serve a warrant, you try to plan. You try to get all your operations and your assets organized,” Deputy Chief Pozzi said. “So, you prepare for the worst and always hope for the best.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents and officers from the Rockford Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, and Illinois State Police supported evidence teams in processing the crime scene outside the hotel. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) provided further assistance.
“Special Deputy Keltner put his life on the line every day to protect and serve his community,” said Ashley Johnson, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office. “Tragically, on March 7, 2019, he paid a terrible price for his dedication. We will never stop working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to remove violent offenders from our streets and safeguard those who care for our communities.”