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Incident
Town Marshal Thomas Branch was shot and killed by a man armed with a double-barrel shotgun one of the town's main streets.
The subject was acquitted after a second trial.
Marshal Branch also served as a deputy sheriff for Alachua County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
151 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Branch served with the Gainesville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gainesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gainesville Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1875, 1 officer in FL was killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1875, 28 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 157th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1875, 32 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 156th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 38. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Thomas was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Gainesville Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Gainesville Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Gainesville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
