Richard Brown, Queens District Attorney, Dies At 86

QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown has died, according to a statement from Chief Assistant District Attorney John M. Ryan. Brown, 86, was due to resign in June because of ongoing health issues.

Brown had the longest tenure of New York City's current district attorneys and was the longest-serving DA in Queeens history. He had previously served as a lawyer and a judge. At the time that he announced his resignation, Brown said that Chief ADA John M. Ryan would take over the office's responsibilities before the new district attorney would be elected in November.

"Judge Brown - as he has long been affectionately called - was a public servant like no other," Ryan said in the statement. "He topped a spectacular judicial career and was appointed the district attorney of Queens County in 1991 by then-Gov. Mario Cuomo. He was proud to serve the millions of people of Queens for nearly 28 years and was re-elected to seven terms in office."

Ryan noted some of Brown's achievements as DA, including the creation of one of the state's first drug courts, mental health courts and veterans courts. He also created a domestic violence bureau, the office of immigrant affairs, the animal cruelty unit and the Queens treatment intervention program to address the opioid crisis.

"The Borough of Queens mourns the loss of a lifelong public servant," Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said in a statement.

"We reflect on and honor Judge Brown's extraordinary devotion and distinguished service to the people of Queens. I will forever and fondly remember his kindness to me and to my entire family throughout the years. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Judge Brown's family - especially Rhoda, their three children and two grandchildren - during this difficult time."

The Mayor's office said all flags in the city will be lowered to half staff in honor of Brown's memory beginning at sunrise on Sunday, May 5.

"Today our city mourns a dedicated public servant," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a tweet. "As the longest-serving DA in Queens history, Richard Brown was committed to making this city safer and brought hundreds of men and women into law enforcement. Our prayers are with Judge Brown’s family and loved ones."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo referred to Brown as a "giant of the legal community and dedicated public servant."

Brown died Friday night and was suffering from health problems associated with Parkinson's Disease, the statement said. Brown is survived by his wife Rhoda and their three children; Karen, Todd and his wife Monica, and Lynn and her husband Bruce. He is also survived by his two granddaughters Leah and Alana.

Funeral services for Brown will be held on Tuesday, May 7 at The Reform Temple of Forest Hills at 11:30 a.m.

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Maya Kaufman contributed to this report.