Tom Branch

I first became involved because I thought it was a shame that men and women who served our community for 20 plus years as a Tulsa Police Officer weren't recognized after their death in the same way that US Military veterans are. A veteran can serve for two years and his grave will be marked with an American Flag every year (and I whole-heartedly support this), but no way exists to recognize the dedication and daily sacrifices of a retired Tulsa Police Officer. Although I still wish there was a way to recognize each and every officer, I am proud that we have located and mark the graves of the 39 Officers who have laid down their lives in the line of duty. This really started for me after Gus Spanos was killed, and then became more of a resolve after Dick Hobson was killed. When the Committee was originally formed Danny Lynchard asked me to serve
to give both an outlet for my passion and to represent all of the Tulsa Police Chaplains. I never imagined it would grow into what it has become today, and words cannot express the pride I feel in being allowed to serve on the Tulsa Police Officers' Memorial Trust.