Severe storms are rolling through central Minnesota including the Twin Cities

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

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." 

Mathew Holding Eagle III

Author

Jesse Branch died the day before Thanksgiving as a result of a two-vehicle crash. Branch was a 17-year veteran with the Red Lake Nation Department of Public Safety.

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

Go Deeper.

Like this?