A steady stream of red and blue lights pass in front of the Lynchburg Police Department. Car #52 is parked on the lawn. The cruiser won't be joining the procession. That procession is part of the final salute to the cruiser's driver, Officer Will Branham.
From Court Street in Downtown Lynchburg to Madison Heights, the cars move in a line. Officers line up to greet them outside the funeral home.
Inside the chapel another line forms. Hundreds of officers, from all over Virginia, file past Branham's casket. His fellow LPD officers stand guard on either side. The flag is draped over. Then there's a salute.
"He wanted to be a police officer because of the movie Maverick.", says Pastor J. Mike Dodson, to the congregation of mourners.
Pastor Dodson says Branham's career goal was to become a US Marshal but when he was off duty he just wanted to be the best husband and dad.
"He put Makayla and Makinzee to bed every night. Even did the midnight feedings or what he called the midnight shift.", says Dodson.
That midnight shift, Investigator Carson says, was job number one for Branham.
"Do your job at 100% but family's #1. There's nothing else that you do in a job comes before family. If you remember that then you'll love Will and you'll honor Will.", says Carson.
"Me and Will clicked from day one.", says Officer Chad Davis. "It was buddy buddy from the get go."
Chad Davis and Branham started the police force together back in 2001.
"It's not about how long he's been here or how much he'll be missed.", says Davis. Davis starts to choke up and cannot finish his words.
It's an emotional goodbye for those not ready to say it. Davis is one of the officers who carries the casket and gives Branham a final salute.
Branham is survived by his wife April and two little girls. He was a member of the Monacan Indian tribe in Amherst County. The tribe performed a burial ritual at Branham's gravesite.
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