Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Bob Branham succumbed to complications of gunshot wounds sustained 41 years earlier in the 300 block of East Oak Street.
As he was placing one subject under arrest, a second man approached and shot him in the abdomen with a shotgun. He nearly died from the wound at the time of the shooting and remained in the hospital for eight months. He had undergone over ten surgeries as a result of the wound. On May 14th, 2013, he underwent surgery to remove an obstruction caused by the wound and died from complications of the surgery.
The shooter was found guilty of malicious shooting and wounding and was sentenced to two years. The subject who was being arrested for theft was sentenced to 30 days for resisting arrest.
Detective Branham served with the Louisville Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-1CB8776B- 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.
Detective Branham gave the Louisville Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Branham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Bobby W. 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 Louisville Police Department, 51 of 91 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bobby W. Branham's cause is highlighted.
How Bobby W. Branham Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to two years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bobby W. Branham is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bobby W. Branham was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
90 officers from Louisville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
