Gibson County Sheriff's Department

We remember a Gibson County Fallen Officer on this day who was killed in the line of duty 5 years ago. On February 28, 2000, Officer Michael E. Deno of the Oakland City Police Department was shot near point blank range in Oakland City while on a routine traffic stop on a man he knew was driving with a suspended license. During the stop, the suspect (Richard Branum of Winslow, IN) produced a .25 caliber handgun from his rear pocket and shot Officer Deno in the right side of his head. Officer Deno was transported to a St. Mary's hospital where he later died the next morning on February 29, 2000. The suspect fled the scene, but was arrested about an hour later and charged with capital murder. In December 2000, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus 20 years for drug possession. Officer Deno will always be remembered and never forgotten. Take a minute to view our Fallen Officers page on our website. You may also view reflections left for Officer Deno on the Officer Down Memorial Page located at http://www.odmp.org/reflections.php?oid=15367