The death of a Wartburg Police Officer more than a week after he was involved in a fight with a domestic violence suspect may now be investigated as a murder, according to Wartburg Police Chief Teddy Bales.
Captain Ralph Braden died Monday evening at Oak Ridge Methodist Medical Center.
On April 22, Braden was answering a domestic violence disturbance call at Sunnyside Estates close to midnight. He got in a fight with Eddie Patterson as he tried to flee the scene. Braden had a dislocated shoulder, and was treated and released from the hospital. The next morning, his wife was unable to wake him and he was taken back to the hospital where it was discovered he had a blood clot in his lung. He died Monday evening.
"I do believe that if the altercation had not happened to my father that this wouldn't have happened the way it did. He was dedicated. He didn't deserve, he laid over there almost nine days fighting for his life," said Braden's son, Michael Braden.
District Attorney General Russell Johnson said to upgrade the charges against Patterson, he must prove with a "reasonable degree of certainty" that the fight with Patterson caused the blood clot that led to Braden's death. He will take the case before a grand jury on May 16.
The entire Wartburg community is in shock over Captain Braden's death. His family said he was a dedicated husband, father, brother, and grandfather.
"He not only raised me and my brother, but he's helped me raise my two children, and he raised his whole family. His dad passed away when he was 13 years-old. He went to work full time. He was the oldest to raise everybody. It's a terrible loss," said Michael Braden.
"It's a really devastating loss. Ralph was not only a model officer, model employee, he's just a good man," said Wartburg Mayor Joey Williams.
Morgan County Sheriff Glen Freytag released the following statement about the death of Captain Braden:
Captain Ralph Braden of the Wartburg Police Department passed away on May 2, 2011. Captain Braden will be missed greatly by the community where he lived and served. I had the honors of working with Captain Braden for the past 20 years. He was a great friend and fellow officer. In any situation you could count on Captain Braden lending his assistance. He was always ready and prepared to serve and protect his community.
Captain Braden was a great asset to the Wartburg Police Department and the community where he served. He was always willing to assist any agency that needed his help. We were fortunate to have Captain Braden as part of our team and he will be greatly missed by his fellow officers and the community.
Patterson was charged with aggravated assault on a police office, assault on a police officer, fleeing, evading, and domestic assault. He is currently in jail.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 7, at 11am at Central Middle School in Wartburg. Family will receive friends and family from 5pm to 9pm on Friday, May 6, also at Central Middle School.
A fund has been set up at Citizen's First Bank in Wartburg for Braden's family to help with funeral expenses.
