Chief of Police William Franklin Brantley, Homestead Police Department, Florida

Chief of Police William Franklin Brantley

Homestead Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Monday, March 17, 1952

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William Franklin Brantley

Chief of Police Frank Brantley was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a drunk man shortly after midnight.

The man had just shot and critically wounded another person in a bar as they were having a drinking contest. He was shot after finding the man behind a house at 105 SE 2nd Avenue.

The 27-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder on April 25th, 1952, and sentenced to 99 years in prison. He escaped in 1958 and again in 1960 but was quickly captured. He got 6 years added to his life sentence for escape.

Chief Brantley was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served in law enforcement for 17 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.

Bio

Age 38
Tour 17 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender Sentenced to 99 years

arrest attempt, shots fired

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Most Recent Reflection

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My mother ,Ethel Eicher was a surgical nurse and had gone in to James archer Smith hospital to assist in Chief Brantley’s surgery. My dad picked her up at the hospital and asked how is he doing. She replied that he will not make it. I was 4 years old and in the back seat. I understood with great sorrow and frequently reflect on the sad loss.

George Eicher
Young fried of chief brantley

January 21, 2024