I first had the honor to meet Mike back in 2005. I was fishing on the river with some coworkers. From the first moment it felt like i had known him for a lifetime. I am hard pressed to find another caring and more divoted man. While out fishing the weather had turned and instead of getting a motel room, Mike offered us his camper for the night. Mike had a great passion for traing and hunting with his outstanding dogs. He truly was a brother to everyone and he will truly be missed

I had the priviledge to work with Mike when he was an Agent in Watertown, SD. At that time, I was a (5) year patrolman of the Watertown PD. Mike allowed me to 'tag along' on some of the bigger cases he was involved in Watertown and the surrounding areas. He welcomed my questions. I asked for explainations, why he investigated certain cases the way he did and the techniques he used. Always, he would answer. Mike was passionate about people, and its people like him that make working in the Law Enforcemnt arena the Honorable Profession it is. When Mike left Watertown for Pierre, I knew I would always have a friend and confidant in the middle of the state. I later became an investigator. When I saw Mike, I would tell him what he taught did not go unused. He was a mentor. Mike was a great man who passed too soon. He left a mark on many. I credit much of my success as a Law Enforcement Professional to Mike, and people like him. Mike worked hard, had fun and did his best. He took pride and craftsmanship about his work. God blessed me with knowing Mike Braley. I am not the only one. My heartfelt condolences for Mike's family.

Mike was a great asset to Law Enforcement Training. He saw everything as an opportunity to do something good for students. He gave freely of his time and abilities. My fondest memory of Mike was when he "helped" LET turn cozy 2 person rooms into 4 person rooms. His ability to plan and build helped greatly when there was a need to house more students. He had the tools and knowledge and put in some long days with that building project. That is just one example of what he did for Law Enforcement in South Dakota.

Michael and I were what I call "best friends" during our high school days. Mike was a treat to be around, somewhat daring at times but that is what made it fun. Some of the memorable times I recall are as follows; Pheasant Hunting, Pheasant Hunting, Pheasant Hunting...we shot way over our limit each time we were out. I am surprised there are any left! Riding motorcycles, on golf courses, in between corn stalks and once and I while on the roads. Climbing apple trees in Winner and stealing apples...sometimes getting caught by the owner of the house while in his underwear. (true story) Fishing in any farm pond that we could find. On nice days we would skip school to go fishing. Borowing life size statues out of the back of Mabel's Ried's yard and taking them to the high school and placing them in the back of the pickup of the principal. Mike's gift of art was always amazing to me. He was clearly very tallented. I will miss Mike greatly. We would see each other periodically in Winner over the years. I am so sorry that I was not able to be back for the funeral. I had a son graduating at Michigan State the same day so I had to make a tough decision. His mother Jean was a saint as well. Take care Mike, I will think of you often. Dan Shaheen/Grand Rapids Michigan

I had the priviledge to teach Michael Braley when he lived in Clear Lake. I remember Jane telling me that I was one of a few people, including his grandmother, that Michael allowed them to call him Michael. To most everyone else, it was Mike. At the end of our pioneer unit, Michael had his dad come to school to make homemade pancakes. He also brought along real maple syrup they,and friends I believe that lived in Minnesota, tapped themselves. The kids thought it was the coolest thing that a "Dad" could even cook!! But to top things off, he preceded to make each child's first initial out of the pancake batter. It didn't get any better than that in the eyes of those fourth graders. To the Braley family, I offer my most sincere sympathy. Lisa Brandt, Clear Lake SD

Hey Jane, Remember the time Baily was having puppies and you both had to work. Mike called me up to see if I could babysit, little did I know it was a dog. Sat there all day as puppy after puppy was born, I think there was 11 in all.

When I came out on Memorial day, we went fishing. Do not remember how many fish we caught but had to clean them. I would not touch them unless I had gloves on but Mike said you catch, you clean, then you eat them. And we did and they were delicious.

Dear Jane, I was shocked when I heard about Mikes death. Mike was a very special person to all of us and it will leave a huge void in the lives of everyone who knew him. Although we didn't see each other much I still considered him a good friend who I knew I could count on if I ever needed help. Mike dedicated his life to helping others and he was damn good at it. We will all miss him, and I will always have good memories of our times together. I know its been a difficult time for your family since Mike died. I know he would want you to be strong and have a good life. My thoughts are with you and your family. If I can ever help please let me know. Don Wilson

Dear Lord, You know how hard it is to say good-bye to those we love. You stood at the tomb of Lazarus and wept even though you knew he would be resurrected. And we know we will see Mike again too. But in the meantime hearts are hurting. Tears are falling. Please bring your peace and comfort. Wrap your arms gently around all of us that are grieving. Give us strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Most of all, let your presence be felt in a special way. You are the one who loved us enough to die for us. Amen. God will tenderly comfort you-II Corinthians 1:7 Jane, thinking of you. Love, Ken, Cheryl, and Dexter.

Mike and I met after we both got out of the service in 76. We were at Rochester CC and met at an orientation session. We were both young and excited and glad to be out of the service. He constantly reminded me I was the stupid one who joined, and that he was drafted. We constantly gave each other crap about our background. Me being 4 years removed from Alabama and him coming to the “big city” from the boonies of SoDak. We made it through the RCC Law Enforcement Program and Mike went to work for the Olmstead Sheriff. We hung out, sometimes drank way too much and specialized is giving grief to anyone we thought had it coming which was pretty much everyone we knew. Mike called me up one day and asked if I wanted to ride along to a friends whose horses he was watching while they were out of town. I went out with him and when we got there he asked if I had ever ridden. I told him I rode a lot in the service and was pretty good. He suggested we go for a ride and pointed out a saddle for me to use. I thought this can’t be that hard little kids do it. After about a minute he knew I didn’t have a clue and he saddled the horse up for me. As I watched him he was grinning ear to ear while clamping down on his Marlboro. He looked up when he was done and he still had the grin with a twinkle in his eyes. Lets’ go Cowboy he said. He mounted first and I crawled up on the horse. We started off at a walk and later into a slow trot. To this day I’m still not sure what happened but my horse took off like a shot past Mike and I heard him yell something about hanging on. There was one tree in the whole pasture and that’s where the horse took me to get me off his back. Mike rode up to make sure I was ok then started laughing. As I lay in a heap I did not think it was all that funny. He asked about my riding and I told him I went on several trail rides. He laughed even louder. He told me there two things you need to know about a horse. 1. Their brain is the size of a walnut and 2. They don’t want you on their back. I’ll never forget that day or the grin on his face. He knew exactly what was going to happen. Mike was a good friend for a long time and taught me a lot. I will miss him.

I FUCKING LOVE TAKING DICK IN THE ASS!!

Sorry about the "COCK IN THE ASS" thing, I didn't know what this site was about, then I read it. I appologize, and if I could delete that, I would. My sincere appologies. R.I.P Michael Braley, may you rest in heaven.