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Incident
Captain Ralph Braden succumbed to injuries sustained ten days earlier while attempting to arrest a male subject at the scene of a domestic dispute.
He was seriously injured while struggling with the subject after the man attempted to escape out of a window. The subject was able to flee the scene but was arrested 14 hours later.
Captain Braden was transported to a local hospital, where he remained in ICU until succumbing to the injuries.
On January 22, 2012, the suspect was convicted of felony reckless homicide and sentenced to four years in prison.
Captain Braden had served with the Wartburg Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Braden gave the Wartburg Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Wartburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Braden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ralph is the only officer of Wartburg Police Department remembered here.
Ralph is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 58. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Ralph had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ralph was 58. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wartburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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