Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 11187
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 29, 2008
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 20 gauge
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Trooper James Burns was shot and killed following a vehicle pursuit in Marion County, Texas, at approximately 8:00 pm.
The suspect stopped his vehicle, exited, and opened fire on Trooper Burns with a shotgun before he was even able to unlatch his seatbelt.
A citizen used Trooper Burns' radio to inform dispatchers that he had been shot near the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 1969 and Farm-to-Market Road 729. The suspect fled the scene and committed suicide two days later.
Trooper Burns had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety for five years. He is survived by his wife, 6-month-old daughter, parents, and two brothers.