East Point Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Saturday, July 16, 1966
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 9 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 16, 1966
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Released from mental hospital
Officer George Burnette was shot and killed by the suspect who had murdered Officer Johnny Puckett Sr., of the DeKalb County Police Department, the previous day.
He and his partner Officer Burnette had stopped the suspect's vehicle on Central Avenue, near Cleveland Avenue, for a traffic violation. As they approached the car the man exited the vehicle and held them both at gunpoint. He ordered them to walk onto the sidewalk and then suddenly shot Officer Burnette in the chest. The other officer jumped into a railway cut to seek cover.
The subject was committed to a state mental hospital but was discharged after only 10 years.
Officer Burnette was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the East Point Police Department for one year.