Goliad County Sheriff's Department, Texas
End of Watch: Sunday, January 24, 1999
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: 212
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: January 24, 1999
Weapon Used: Person; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Arrested
Deputy Sheriff Burt Turner suffered a fatal heart attack while transporting a prisoner.
Deputy Turner had responded to a disturbance at a dance hall and attempted to arrest a suspect for public intoxication. During the arrest, a struggle ensued, and Deputy Turner had to use his pepper spray. While transporting the prisoner to jail, the suspect attempted to kick out the rear window of the cruiser. At 1:00 a.m., Deputy Turner pulled over and called for backup. When other officers arrived, they found him slumped over the steering wheel.
Deputy Turner was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Goliad County Sheriff's Department for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, who also served with the Goliad Sheriff's Office, two daughters, and a sister.