Sanpete County Sheriff's Department, Utah
End of Watch: Wednesday, September 26, 1894
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 26, 1894
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Never apprehended
Sheriff James Burns was shot and killed by sheep rustlers in the mountains above Spring City. While returning the stolen sheep he encountered two rustlers and became engaged in a gunfight. Sheriff Burns was mortally wounded but was able to wound one of the suspects. Both men were identified but fled the area and were never captured.
Sheriff Burns had served as sheriff for 2 years. He was survived by his expectant wife and seven children. One of his children, James Milton Burns, was shot and killed in the line of duty on June 16, 1925, while serving as marshal of Castle Gate, Utah.
Sheriff Burns is buried in Mount Pleasant City Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Utah.