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Officer

Branch Martin Miller

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation — Sacramento, CA
Accident
United States flag California flag
End of Watch August 20, 1925
Age 68
The Vigil Panel 115 · Column 1 · Line 3 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 41

Incident

Officer Branch Miller was accidentally shot and killed by other guards after six inmates took him hostage during an escape attempt. The prisoners were working in the wharf area of San Quentin Prison when they overpowered Officer Miller and forced him into a boat. Other guards saw men trying to escape but did not know that they had taken Officer Miller as a hostage. The guards opened fire, killing Officer Miller. The prisoners were able to continue their escape but were arrested approximately three miles away and were all charged with Officer Miller's murder.

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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Miller served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Miller.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Type Corrections
Location Sacramento, CA
Platform Identity cdcrcorr.sacramento.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 20, 1925
Age 68
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Branch is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1925, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Branch was 68. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has 42 officers remembered here, Branch among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Officer Branch Martin Miller

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation · End of Watch August 20, 1925

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W

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