Captain Ralph Vester Braden

Ralph Vester Braden

Captain Ralph Braden succumbed to injuries sustained ten days earlier while attempting to arrest a male subject at the scene of a domestic dispute.

He was seriously injured while struggling with the subject after the man attempted to escape out of a window. The subject was able to flee the scene but was arrested 14 hours later.

Captain Braden was transported to a local hospital, where he remained in ICU until succumbing to the injuries.

On January 22, 2012, the suspect was convicted of felony reckless homicide and sentenced to four years in prison.

Captain Braden had served with the Wartburg Police Department for 22 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.