Clio Police Department, South Carolina
End of Watch: Sunday, April 25, 1976
Age: 22
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 4 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 24, 1976
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Plead guilty and sentenced to 10 years
Sergeant Branch was shot and killed after a motor vehicle chase on SC highway 35-19 around 11:30 pm.
Sergeant Branch was shot with a .22 caliber pistol while trying to apprehend the driver of the fleeing vehicle. He had stopped the car about three miles outside Clio on a rural road near the Dillon County line. He died about 2:00 am the next day. The driver plead guilty and was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Sergeant Branch was a member of the force for about 16 months. He was a US Army veteran. He was survived by his mother, three brothers, and a sister.