Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Claude Branon succumbed to injuries received on January 13, 1959, when his police motorcycle was struck by a hit-and-run driver on the Gulf Freeway. While attempting to stop a speeding motorist, the driver intentionally rammed his motorcycle. He was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital and was paralyzed from the neck down before passing away on March 20, 1959. No suspects were ever apprehended. Officer Branon was a United States Marine Corps Korean War veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-635E7117- 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.
Police Officer Branon gave the Houston Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston 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
Claude Emmett Branon, Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Claude Emmett Branon, Sr. 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Claude Emmett Branon, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Claude Emmett Branon, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Case never solved
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude Emmett Branon, Sr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude Emmett Branon, Sr. was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
