U.S. Army · United States 
William Brantley
1952
William Franklin Brantley served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Chief of Police Frank Brantley was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a drunk man shortly after midnight. The man had just shot and critically wounded another person in a bar as they were having a drinking contest. He was shot after finding the man behind a house at 105 SE 2nd Avenue. The 27-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder on April 25th, 1952, and sentenced to 99 years in prison. He escaped in 1958 and again in 1960 but was quickly captured. He got 6 years added to his life sentence for escape. Chief Brantley was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served in law enforcement for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Homestead Police Department
Chief of Police
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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