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Richard Brown Becoming Longest-Tenured DA In Queens History

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - This afternoon, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown becomes the longest tenured D.A. in the history of the borough when he is sworn-in for his sixth term.

WCBS 880's Irene Cornell On The Story

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The Queens D.A., who has been on the job for 20 years, has a judge's gavel on his desk and is always addressed as Judge Brown.

It is because of his 16 years on the bench, first in Manhattan and then in the appellate division in Albany, the second highest court in the state.

But there's one day in his long and illustrious career that will never be forgotten.

"It was in 1973 when I was a fledgling criminal court judge and I had eight shots fired in my courtroom at 100 Centre Street and I went under the bench, robe and all, and since that time I've been known as Duck Down Brown," he told longtime WCBS 880 crime reporter Irene Cornell.

"I never pass up an opportunity to tell that story, I must say," replied Cornell.

"It's a great story. I remember it well because the story made the front page with a lot of newspapers across the state," he said.

Judge Brown continues to make headlines across the state.

He's always been a district attorney with a difference, getting up in the middle of the night to go out to check out crime scenes.

"I enjoy being proactive, but most importantly, it helps us to understand our cases by getting out at crime scenes and being involved early on, working with the police, and we've had great success. When I started in 1991, we had 361 homicides here in Queens. Last year, we only had 85," he said.

It's a source of pride to him that Queens County has lead the city in bringing down crime.

Do you have something to say about the D.A.? Sound off in the comments section below!

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