Retired Louisville Division of Police Detective Bobby Branham died May 14th following surgery for complications of a gunshot wound sustained in the line of duty on July 16th, 1972.
Detective Branham nearly died from his injuries in 1972. He spent over eight months in the hospital and had eight surgeries during that period. He underwent additional surgeries afterward.
He began his Public Safety career as a Louisville Firefighter and eventually followed his passion and moved to the police department. He considered himself "extremely lucky" to do the work he truly loved and often said he would have been a police officer "even if they didn't pay me." He worked in several areas including Patrol and Vice, and he was a member of the Dive Team. He was recognized as Officer of the Year in 1969 and received the Mayor's Award in 1973.
Following his medical retirement, he eventually served as Chief of Detectives for the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in Louisville.
Detective Branham is survived by his wife, Mary Carroll Burnett; daughter, Cynthia Sowers; grandchildren, Dustin Sowers and Carla Sowers; and great-grandson Westin Sowers. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Visitation for Detective Branham will be Friday at Newcomer Funeral Home located at 235 Juneau Drive in Louisville (Middletown) from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. (Eastern) with an FOP service at 6:00 P.M. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Mellwood Art Center -- 1860 Mellwood Avenue in Event Room #2. Burial will be private.