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Incident
Corrections Officer Thomas Brannigan suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to a prison alarm where several inmates were fighting.
He collapsed after running up to the second floor to the location of the fight.
Other officers immediately began performing CPR on Officer Brannigan. He was transported to the prison's medical facility where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Brannigan had served with the Blair County Prison for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Officer Brannigan gave the Blair County Prison 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hollidaysburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Brannigan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Blair County Prison has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Thomas is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1992, 1 officer in PA was lost to cardiac events, the 30th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1992, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1992, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Thomas was 59. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Thomas was 59. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Thomas was 59. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 11% of these deaths in PA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.3%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Blair County Prison, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Blair County Prison has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Blair County Prison are honored on badge.nw.
