Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
Mathew Holding Eagle III

Funeral services for Red Lake officer killed in the line of duty to be held Saturday 

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A Red Lake Nation officer who died in the line of duty will be remembered Saturday. Jesse Branch’s funeral services begin at 1 p.m. in Red Lake at the humanities building following a community meal at noon.

Branch, 35, died as a result of a two-vehicle crash the day before Thanksgiving — the driver of the other vehicle, Alan Lussier Jr., 37, a Red Lake Band member, also died. Lussier, who was living in St. Paul at the time, was in the area visiting family for the holiday. 

Branch’s sister, Tina Garrison, told MPR News her brother was, “one of a kind. Always helping anyone and everyone. He loved his family dearly and did whatever was needed of him to help out.”

Branch was a 17-year veteran with the Red Lake Nation Department of Public Safety.  

According to a Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post, Branch had “previously served on the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Posse and had recently just joined the North Country First Responders.” On the day he died he was scheduled to pick up his gear. 

Following services a law enforcement procession will transport Branch to Holy Cross Cemetery in Bemidji for burial. The Red Lake Nation Department of Public Safety encourages members of the public to stop along the route to show their support.  

Eden Prairie-based nonprofit, The Front Line Foundation, said it is donating $20,000 in death benefits to Branch’s family. The organization offers support for first responders and their families.

“The danger that he put himself in every day when he went to work is something that most of us never have to experience and to lose his life at such a young age, I’m sure the family has a lot of needs,” said Suzanne Holt, president of the foundation.

“And $20,000 won’t come close to meeting those needs, but we hope that it is a help and a comfort to them to know that people do appreciate the sacrifice that Officer Branch made."