Roll of Honor
Glenn L. Branscome
Incident
Patrolman Glenn Branscome and Patrolman Ralph East were shot and killed when they stopped a vehicle on U.S. 52 (current-day W 52 Bypass) near East Surry High School. Officers in the area were asked to be on the lookout for four men wanted for armed robbery. The suspects had robbed two Forsyth County service stations, one in Winston-Salem, the other in Rural Hall. Around 11:00 p.m., Patrolman Branscome and Patrolman East spotted the vehicle and pulled them over. As soon as they exited their patrol vehicle, one suspect used a 22 caliber pistol to shoot both officers, then obtained Officer East's service weapon (38 caliber) and shot each officer again. The suspects were arrested in Winston-Salem a short time later. The gunman was convicted of two counts of murder and received two death sentences on November 21, 1969. His sentence was commuted to two life prison sentences when the Supreme Court ruled all death sentences unconstitutional in 1972. He died in prison on December 14, 2011. The other three suspects received 10 years each for accessory to murder and an additional 30 to 40 years for armed robbery on November 21, 1969. One of the three was released from prison on July 18, 1985. Another one was released on November 24, 1992, and sent back to prison for 10 years on June 5, 2001, for armed robbery. Officer Branscome was a United States Army WWII Army veteran. He had served with the Pilot Mountain Police Department for less than a year and previously served with the Surry County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-9300A0F2- 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.
Patrolman Branscome gave the Pilot Mountain Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pilot Mountain 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
Glenn L. Branscome served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Glenn L. Branscome 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pilot Mountain Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Glenn L. Branscome's cause is highlighted.
How Glenn L. Branscome Compares
Offender Outcome
Commuted to two life sentences
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Glenn L. Branscome is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Glenn L. Branscome was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pilot Mountain Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
