2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

ENROLLED

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2136

Celebrating the life of Geravis Anninos Brown.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 22, 2026

WHEREAS, Geravis Anninos Brown, an honorable veteran, trailblazing law-enforcement officer, and beloved member of the Portsmouth community, died on June 2, 2026; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Portsmouth Public Schools, Geravis Anninos “G.A.” Brown enlisted in the United States Army and served his country with honor and distinction as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, following his service, G.A. Brown briefly worked for the United States Postal Service in Washington, D.C., before devoting himself to the safety and well-being of his community by joining the Portsmouth Police Department in 1971; and

WHEREAS, G.A. Brown started with the Portsmouth Police Department in uniformed patrol and soon made history as the first African American K-9 officer in the Commonwealth; he then served as a detective with the homicide and larceny unit before making his mark again as the first African American public information officer in the Tidewater area; and

WHEREAS, over his years with the Portsmouth Police Department, G.A. Brown made an impact as a charter member of the Minority Police Officers Association of Portsmouth, as well as through his efforts with the Special Olympics and as a member of the Fraternal Order of Police; and

WHEREAS, G.A. Brown achieved the rank of sergeant in 1995 and retired in December of that year after 25 years with the force; he then served with the Norfolk International Airport Police Department before serving with the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office as a local probation officer until his full retirement in 2017; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his service, G.A. Brown was named the Portsmouth Police Department's Police Officer of the Year in 1991; he was also presented the Citizen Valor Award in 2017 by the Portsmouth Police Department after coming to the aid of an officer in distress; and

WHEREAS, G.A. Brown gave generously of his time for the benefit of others, including as a dedicated member of American Legion Post #190, as a mentor to his fellow law-enforcement officers, and as a role model to his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and

WHEREAS, G.A. Brown will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 45 years, Rosetta; his children, Angela, Alisa, Juanita, Geravis, and Kristal; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Geravis Anninos Brown, a revered member of the Portsmouth community whose legacy of love, compassion, and service will forever inspire all who knew him; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Geravis Anninos Brown as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.