Police Officer Overcomes Injury to Compete in 2024 Paris Paralympics

Some obstacles are bigger than others, and sometimes the challenge can seem even greater when they arrive unexpectedly. This was certainly true for Dayton, Ohio police officer, Byron Branch, when he was struck by a passing motorist while assisting a stalled semi-trailer one wintry night in 2016.

Branch would escape with his life, but sustained serious injuries that would place him on a path that was both unwanted and unplanned but would prove to be one that led to a triumphant recovery and beyond.

Dr. Akpofure Ekeh, MD, trauma surgeon with Wright State Physicians, shared more about Officer Branch’s injuries with Premier Health Now.

Taking the Good with the Bad

Branch had been very fortunate in one respect. He had escaped serious injuries to his torso, arms, legs and hands, and most importantly, his spine and brain. The same, unfortunately, could not be said for his lower half.

Dr. Ekeh explains that Branch had what is often referred to as a “mangled extremity”. “He had an open fracture’ says Dr. Ekeh. “His tibia and fibula on the right leg were broken, and it was an open wound. He was actively bleeding.”

Branch’s leg was so damaged it could not be saved. “He underwent an amputation,” Dr. Ekeh says. “Sometimes we have to make that very difficult decision. Sometimes we call it life over limb.”

Recovery and Redemption

Though recovery came with numerous challenges as Officer Branch learned to adapt to living with a prosthesis, he remained undaunted and would eventually return to his job on the police force.

Dr. Ekeh says that Branch was not only very physically fit, but more importantly, very motivated. “He had such a wonderful attitude and outlook and had the view that he was going to make it through this.”

Branch’s fitness and lifelong love for the sport of fencing also remained unchanged, which led him to compete and win multiple American para-fencing championships. The U.S. Fencing Association soon invited him to represent his country at the para-fencing world championships, where he qualified to represent the United States at the 2024 Paralympic Games beginning on August 28. 

Though Officer Branch’s pursuit of Paralympic gold has come about as a result of training and hard work, the seeds of his success were planted in his earliest days of recovery.

“Ninety-five percent of recovery is mental. Five percent is physical,” says Branch. “I decided I’m not going to focus on what I can’t do. I’m only going to focus on what I can do.”

Source: Akpofure Peter Ekeh, MD, FACS