Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Wow, after many years I have just come across this site. Reading all the wonderful and caring thoughts brings me to tears and so many memories. It is heartwarming to hear how my Dad brought so much value to the community and his teammates! I know he was a good and dedicated worker as he was an awesome Father! There is not a single day that goes by without me thinking of you, you are such a huge part of me mentally and spiritually and physically and emotionally! You will forever be in my heart and soul! Dad I love you and we are doing our best coping with life and the many challenges. I am blessed to have you as a Dad/ Hero. Your grandchild Aiyanna would have loved to meet you. I tell her all about you and how much you meant to us. I miss that I can’t talk to you for advice and guidance but , God has blessed me to be strong and strong minded and I am grateful to be able be a seed of your blood! The family and I will always keep you alive and will always remember that you are the most special person in our lives and we will always carry you in our hearts.

I love you,
Your Daughter
Apifany Branson
8/25/2024
Continue to respect in peace until we meet again.

Apifany Branson
Daughter

August 25, 2024

Officer Branson,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of St. Louis. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 9, 2023

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

March 9, 2018

You are not forgotten by your brothers and sisters at SLMPD. Rest in Peace brother.

Sgt. SG
St. Louis Metropolitan Police

March 9, 2012

My big cousin, first you were born, then along came yours truly. I really love and respect you. I remember when we were children, you were the peace maker, you would say, don't fight, say sorry. WOW you were the best. Preacher & Peace Maker. Someday I will meet you in Glory and I will see that great big smile again. Love you forever. Connie

connie Lockett
cousin

October 7, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 9, 2010

Always remembered & honored 4 his service & his ultimate sacrifice.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister & granddau. of LEOs

March 9, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 9, 2009

MY BRAVE COUSIN:

LIL JAMES, I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GREAT BIGGGG SMILE, YOUR GENTLE SPIRIT AND CARING MANNER WILL BE FELT THROUGHOUT TIME. WHEN WE WERE KIDS I KNEW YOU WOULD BE A PREACHER. REMEMBER WHEN YOU WOULD TELL US KIDS TO SIT DOWN SO THAT YOU COULD PREACH TO US? YOU NEVER WANTED TO SEE ANY FIGHTING, YOU ALWAYS WANTED PEACE. GOD LENT YOU TO THIS WORLD TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT AND STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. YOU WERE LOVED AND RESPECTED BY MANY. YOU ARE MY BIG COUSIN, WHO I STILL LOVE AND RESPECT. HEY, DO YOU STILL HAVE THAT DOLLAR BILL I SENT YOU FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY? I LOVE YOU CUZZ, FOREVER AND EVER.

CONNIE LOCKETT

CONNIE LOCKETT
COUSIN

April 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

March 12, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 11, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 4th anniversary of you being called away. You have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones who think of you ever day and have that special place for you in their hearts that will burn there forever.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

March 9, 2007

Jim,

You are missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing you and who called you a friend. God bless you and your family always.

DE
St. Louis City Police

March 9, 2007

May Our Lord ever bless your loved ones and may you rest safe in the hollow of His Hand.

March 9, 2007

Rest in peace Brother. May God Bless you and your family.

Patrolman

August 15, 2006

As a wife of a sgt that recently had knee surgery for a duty related injury, then had a blood clot in the leg which moved to the lung, my sympathy goes especially to your wife. I faced that fear but did not have to endure the pain of losing my husband. I am so sorry that you did. I say a prayer for the family today on the anniversary of his death. God Bless you all.

Laura (Wife of Sgt)
LAPD

March 9, 2006

To Police Officer James Williams Branson Jr. and his loved ones:

On this the third anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
May God watch over your wife and children and other family members.

James, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Officer Branson. I am so saddened that you were robbed of a lifetime by this line of duty death that occurred when you were so young, leaving your precious family to be cared for by their blue angel.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service James gave to his community and the citizens of Missouri, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 9,2003.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 9, 2006

A man remembered with love will always live on in the hearts and minds of those left behind.

March 9, 2006

James you will be missed very much. I will never forget everything that you gave me and sacrificed for me and the children. You are my hero, you were my best friend, you were an excellent provider, father, husband, and son. I will always love you will all of my heart, you have a special place in my heart. Love always, your wife

Cheryl Branson wife,friend

February 16, 2006

I always will love my dad and hes special to me.

Brianna Branson
Daughter

December 18, 2005

I will all ways love my Dad.I i new that was the last time i see your face i would not now wat to do. Yours truly jeremy.you will all ways be my dad.from JAMES WILLAM BRANSO 111,APIFANY BRANSON,BRIANNA BRANSON,And wife

Jeremy Branson
son

December 17, 2005

Hope you have fun where you are you will always be remebered! RIP


~Anynomus~

December 4, 2005

you are still in everyone's thoughts. you have some buddies up there from the same department. i know you all continue watching out for your partners. until next time.

September 13, 2005

You are still in all of our thoughts and prayers. There is never a day that goes by that I don't think about all the officers of St. Louis and others that gave their life doing what they loved. Thank you for everything.

St. Louis Citizen

July 14, 2005

Thinking of you and remembering the sacrifice you may, two years ago today. God's peace be with you always.

Michigan

March 9, 2005