Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Galby Branson and Deputy Sheriff Edward Funk were shot and killed by three brothers who supported a different political party as the sheriff while at a 4th of July celebration picnic in Kerbyville. The brothers, who had been drinking, were brandishing their pistols around the crowd. Sheriff Branson and Deputy Funk approached the men, asking them to put away their weapons. One of the brothers pointed his gun at Deputy Funk, who drew his pistol in return. Another brother fired his pistol and struck Deputy Funk, and a shootout ensued. Twelve shots were fired, leaving Deputy Funk and Sheriff Branson dead. One of the brothers suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. All three were arrested and charged with murder. Two of the brothers were tried and acquitted on September 6, 1890. The charges were then dropped against the other brother. Sheriff Branson was a United States Marine Corps and Army veteran, serving as a Sergeant in the Gasconade County Battalion with the United States Reserve Corps, Missouri Home Guard, and as a Corporal in the 31st Regiment, Missouri Infantry in the Civil War. He was elected Sheriff in 1888. He was survived by his wife and two children. He is buried in the Branson Family Cemetery, Branson, Taney County, Missouri.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-46F3A894- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Branson gave the Taney County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Forsyth community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Galba E. "Galby" Branson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Galba E. "Galby" Branson 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Taney County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 6 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. Galba E. "Galby" Branson's cause is highlighted.
How Galba E. "Galby" Branson Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Galba E. "Galby" Branson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Galba E. "Galby" Branson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Taney County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
