Mountaineer Baseball Mourns Loss Of Former Pitcher Mike Brown

The Mansfield University baseball program extends its deepest sympathies to the parents and family of former standout Mike Brown.

Brown was a starting pitcher for the Mountaineers in 1999 and 2000 after transferring to Mansfield from Alfred State College. A lefty, Brown posted a 5-2 record appearing in 15 games during his career.

A 2000 graduate of Mansfield University with a degree in criminal justice administration, Brown went on to a career as a law enforcement officer in Delaware.

Not only was Mike an excellent player at Mansfield, he was an outstanding individual who was well liked and respected by his teammates.

The following is a newspaper account of the accident that claimed his life.

Services set for Wyoming officer
By Drew Volturo, Delaware State News

WYOMING — A Wyoming policeman killed in a motorcycle accident Tuesday afternoon will be laid to rest Saturday with a full officer's burial.

Pfc. Michael Brown, 27, of Dover, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Honda 929RR motorcycle struck a John Deere 8300 tractor on Del. 9 northeast of Smyrna, according to Delaware State Police.

Wyoming Police Chief Kevin L. Wilson said he is coordinating arrangements with police departments throughout the state and surrounding agencies in Maryland.

He expects between 250-500 officers to attend this weekend's services.

Pfc. Brown had been a member of Wyoming's four-officer force since July 2003 after spending two years with the Rehoboth Beach Police Department.

"Mike first wanted to be a police officer in high school," Holly Rarrick, Pfc. Brown's sister, said in a Wednesday phone interview.

"It made me feel proud for someone to want to take on the great responsibility of helping others."

Mrs. Rarrick, of Corning, N.Y., said her younger brother was an exceptional pitcher, a left-hander whose skills earned him a scholarship to Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and a tryout with the Atlanta Braves.

"Ultimately, he decided that the career he wanted was as a police officer," Mrs. Rarrick said.

She said Pfc. Brown was a big-hearted person with a unique sense of humor who doted on her two young sons, visiting them often and giving them pointers on various sports.

Delaware State Police spokesman Lt. Joseph P. Aviola Jr. said the tractor, driven by Benjamin M. Wilson Jr., 21, of Smyrna, was traveling north on Del. 9 shortly after 2 p.m. Pfc. Brown also was northbound on his motorcycle behind the tractor.

"The tractor attempted to turn left into a driveway and at the same time, the motorcycle attempted to pass the tractor on the left," Lt. Aviola said.

The motorcycle struck the tractor, he said.

Pfc. Brown, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene due to head trauma, Lt. Aviola said.

Mr. Wilson was not injured in the crash, he said.

Lt. Aviola said police are continuing their investigation, but he said the accident occurred in a legal passing zone and speed might have been a factor.

Chief Wilson said the Camden Police Department and Delaware State Police are handling all calls for police service in Wyoming, which likely will continue until Sunday.

Pfc. Brown is survived by his parents, Lee Brown and Sharon Reed of Dover, a grandfather, a brother, two sisters and two nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road in Dover. Friends may call Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 12-2 p.m. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Dover.