Dayton police officer makes Paralympic Games debut in Paris

In his first round in the Men’s Foil Category A, Branch beat fellow U.S. fencer William Schoonover 15-2 in the round of 32. The match started at 3 a.m. Ohio time.

In the round of 16, Branch fell 15-5 to Emanuele Lambertini, of Italy. He then lost 15-7 to Oliver Lam Watson, of Great Britain, in Repechage Round 1 and was eliminated.

Branch one of six U.S. fencers at the Paralympics. The team competition begins Thursday. The U.S. team faces Brazil in the first round.

Branch had his right leg amputated above the knee after being hit by a car in 2016. Branch returned to work after the accident and won Dayton Police Officer of the Year award in 2018. He won the Steve Whalen Memorial Policing Award in 2021.

Branch lives in Bellbrook. According to USFencing.org, he trains with Columbus Fencing and Fitness.