Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Branhan,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

February 7, 2024

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

February 7, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Branhan. An Oakland, CA hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 23, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

February 7, 2018

Dave was my best friend at Oakland HS. We were brothers. He joined the Seals, I, the USMC (Quantico, Vietnam). I miss him and Sandy greatly. Would love to hear from anyone who knew him!!

Semper Fi, Dave!

Captain, USMC, Philip Torbet, San Rafael
Best friend/grammer, High School

March 2, 2017

Every year since 2009 I have made the blue ribbons with the 51 names of the Oakland Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. It is my honor to do this for the fallen officers. The ribbons hang on a tree outside the Warehouse Bar and Grill in Oakland, California for all to see the sacrifice they have made to keep us safe. God bless you all and rest in peace.

A grateful citizen

February 24, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect and you will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today.

I hope to meet your family someday at a NORCAL COPS function..

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 7, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Branhan. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 17, 2012

David,

I knew you before you were a Police Officer. You were younger than I at Crocker Highlands, McChesney Jr. High and Oakland High School, but I remember you. We were both on the YMCA Group World Tour in 1964. I remember you as tall and handsome, quiet and well-mannered and kind. I am sure you made a wonderful Police Officer.

What I remember most is that you were an only child with no children yet of your own when you died. What a tragic loss for your parents and your wife.

Yet I honor you, even now, so many years later. You are not forgotten. Rest in peace.

Friend

July 8, 2011

Such a tragic day for this service. You are not forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 7, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

February 7, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been a long time, I'm sure those you left behind and served with disctinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thanks for your service and for looking out for us you left behind. Rest in peace Officer Branhan.

Sgt. Robert Mau, Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 16, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

February 5, 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

September 20, 2007

Thank you for your service Ofc. Branhan.

Citizen
Grand Rapids, MI

August 1, 2007

David
I only met you once when you addressed my 64th recruit school academy class but I remembered your name. I cannot begin to describe the unbelievable sense of loss I felt that sunny afternoon when you and your partner were taken from us.

It has been over 35-years since that day yet I think about you and the others who made the ultimate sacrifice every day. God has blessed me and allowed me to continue doing the job I love. A time will come when we will again meet. I hope you will show me around and I have 40-years worth of war stories to tell you all.

Officer George Richardson
Fowler California Police Department

June 22, 2007

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Officer.

A Citizen

May 13, 2006

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

October 14, 2004

David,
We played high school football together at Oakland High, were friends, and professional brothers. It was an awful lot for me to lose you and Ed Marks on the same day. Thirty years later....I say my good-bye.

Inspector Jim Bratton
Oregon Inspector General's Office

August 27, 2004

06/03/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. Any officer who dies in the line of duty will always be remembered for his sacrifice. You died a hero. Rest in peace Officer Branhan.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

June 3, 2004

Rest in peace Brother David you are a true hero and will never be forgotten


Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7.15.73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

December 17, 2003