Baltimore City Police Department, Maryland
End of Watch: Monday, January 22, 1917
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 3 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Electrocuted
Date of Incident: January 22, 1917
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer Michael Burns was electrocuted while attempting to relight an electric street light in front of 4012 Park Heights Avenue.
A citizen flagged down Officer Burns, who was on bicycle patrol, and complained that the light was flashing. Officer Burns stood on his bike and attempted to relight the light by pulling on the chain, but the lamp exploded and threw him into the street. The lamp then fell into the street and Officer Burns became tangled in the live wires and was electrocuted.
Officer Burns had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for one year and was assigned to the Bicycle Squad in the Northeastern District. He was survived by his wife and four young children.