Masons adopt beautification project in memory of Sheriff-Elect Derwin Brown

Derwin Brown Masonic Lodge #599 PHA is honoring the late DeKalb Sheriff-elect with a beautification project in the community he loved. The Masons have adopted a bus stop on Glenwood Road in Decatur in honor of Derwin Brown, who was a Mason.

This year marks the 18^th anniversary of his death. Brown was shot 11 times in the driveway of his home on Dec. 15, 2000. Defeated rival Sydney Dorsey, who ordered the hit, is serving a life sentence in prison. Dorsey, who turns 78 this month, was the first African American to serve as Sheriff of DeKalb County. It was reported Dorsey was bitter because he lost the election to Brown, who would have been 64 years old on June 22.

Kelvin Maddox, the lodge’s community service chairman, said the Masons want to do their part to keep Brown’s legacy alive and show his love for the community.

“Our responsibility as part of the Keep DeKalb County Beautiful project is to keep the area cleaned, trimmed and presentable,” said Maddox.