Man accused of killing deputy could receive death penalty

Posted on March 12, 2019
FLOYD BROWN BPD
Floyd Brown faces murder charges in state and federal court.
(Bloomington Police Department photos)

By Greg Halbleib

ROCKFORD – The man accused of killing a McHenry County sheriff’s deputy before leading police on a high-speed chase ending in Lincoln last week could face the death penalty or life in prison.

Floyd Brown made his first appearance in federal court in Rockford on Monday. The 45-year-old Springfield man is charged with murder in the shooting death of Deputy Jacob Keltner at a Rockford hotel on Thursday during an attempt to arrest Brown on a federal warrant. Brown also faces state murder charges in Winnebago County.

Brown was wanted for burglaries throughout Central Illinois including Bloomington. A $5 million bond was part of a warrant issued for Brown after Thursday’s shooting.

Brown did not enter a plea during Thursday’s hearing. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 20 in Rockford.

Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered state and national flags to be lowered to half-staff for Keltner until sunset Wednesday.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]. 

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