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."

"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."

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

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.

Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat reported
to the Orlando Sentinel
About Kevin Lilley

Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.

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