Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff David Branham and Chief Silas Wilder, of the Corbin Police Department, were shot and killed when they attempted to arrest a man who was terrorizing local citizens.
When the deputy ordered the man to surrender, the man fired a shot that instantly killed Deputy Branha. The subject then shot and mortally wounded Chief Wilder. Despite his wounds, Chief Wilder was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
Chief Wilder succumbed to his wounds the following day.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-E9124B7C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Branham served with the Whitley County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Williamsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Branham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff David Branham is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Whitley County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Branham's cause is highlighted.
How David Branham Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Branham is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Branham was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Whitley County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
