Lynchburg Officer Branham loses brief battle with cancer

May 1, 2008 | Virginia News

It is with great sadness that the Lynchburg Police Department announces the death of Police Officer William C. Branham.

Officer Branham, age 26, passed away the morning of April 30 after a brief battle with cancer. Officer Branham was a seven year veteran with the department having served as a cadet, patrol officer and traffic safety officer. He is survived by his wife, April, and two daughters ages 2 years and 8 months.

Visitation for family, friends, and law enforcement personnel will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 1800-2100 hrs at Whitten's Funeral Home (Monelison Chapel) located at 3966 South Amherst Highway (Business 29) in Madison Heights (Amherst County).

The funeral service will be held at 1400 hrs on Sunday, May 4 also at Whitten's Monelison Chapel. Law enforcement officers attending the service and participating in the funeral procession to the burial site are asked to meet no later than 1200 hrs in the parking lot at Genworth Financial located at 3100 Albert Lankford Drive in Lynchburg in order to form a procession to the funeral. Any agency intending to send police motorcycles is asked to contact Lt. R.M. Zuidema at (434) 942-2439 in advance.

Directions to the Genworth Parking Lot:

• From Route 29 North / Route 460 East — Take Route 460 East at the Lynchburg city limits to the second Candler's Mountain Rd. exit (a left exit). Go right at the first traffic light onto Mayflower Dr.; continue to the first traffic light and go left on Oddfellows Rd. Turn right onto Albert Lankford Dr and then right into the parking lot.
• From Route 29 South / Route 460 West — Take Route 460 West to the first Candler's Mountain Rd. exit. Go right at the first traffic light onto Mayflower Dr.; continue to the first traffic light and go left on Oddfellows Rd. Turn right onto Albert Lankford Dr and then right into the parking lot.

Trust funds are being established for the Branham family through the Lynchburg Police Helping Hands Foundation; donations may be sent to L.P.H.H.F. at P.O. Box 85 Lynchburg, VA 24504 in the name of Will Branham.