Officer Down Memorial Page

Trooper Burns,

Thank you for your sacrafice and service to the citizens of Texas. You are not forgotten!!

Michael Keck, Criminal Investigator
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice-OIG
April 29, 2012

Trooper Burns, your sacrafice is not forgotten. RIP Brother Roaddog.

TFC Len Widener CT State Police
April 29, 2012

Rest in peace, Trooper Burns. Your service and sacrifice to the citizens of the great State of Texas are not forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.
April 29, 2012

Scott,
I never had the opportunity to meet you but I remember that tragic day vividly. I am a fire cadet in Cass County, and I was at fire drill when the news broke out over Northeast Texas. One of your fellow Troopers out of Cass County is also a firefighter, and I was attending drill with him when he got the phone call from dispatch. He explained to me all he knew at the time. I was enraged, mournful, and disappointed all at the same time. I lived next to your fellow trooper at the time so he took me home and explained to me that he had to go home and get ready to respond to Marion County... Scott, I wanted to go and help so bad but I was about 14 at the time so I wasn't allowed. I followed the news very closely and monitored all radio traffic, hoping to hear the moment that justice was served.. Scott, they busted their rear ends around here for you and I feel that you would done the same for them. When I grow up I wish to be a firefighter and a police officer despite my mothers wishes. I hope to be just like you from what i've herd about you. Your wife is doing fine (even though she doesn't know me) she attends church at the congregation I attend. Your daughter is very beautiful and growing bigger and every time I see her I lean over to my girlfriend and say "look there is Scott's daughter" and I smile. You will be missed and always remembered. May God bless Your family, The Texas DPS, and all public servants.

Fire Cadet
Cass County, Texas
April 3, 2012

28 years ago today, October 11th, my brother - Trooper Russell Lynn Boyd - was killed in the line of duty. I needed to visit the Officer Down Site.

It brought me directly to Scott's Site.

Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your husband and brother, Scott. And, know that many, many others truly care for you and love Scott for the sacrifice he and his family have made.

David Boyd
Brother to Trooper Russell L. Boyd
October 11, 2011

Scott, I was thinking of you today so I looked your articles up again. The articles about the horrible end of your young life. I am your daddy's first cousin. Russell and Pearl's daughter. Your dad and mom are doing a lot better. Buidling your cabin was a real healing thing for them. They did and still do love you sooooo much. Just felt the need to write something today. I am not only your cousin, I am also a retired police officer. Other people just do not understand the brotherhood.
Rest in peace sweet boy!
Sue Hale
Criminal District Attorney's Office
Fannin County, Texas

Sue Hale
Relative
September 1, 2011

I'll never forget, rest well brother.

Trooper
DPS
May 16, 2011

SCOTT,
I STILL MISS YOU MY DEAR COUSIN AND FRIEND. I MISS THE TIMES WE WOULD MEET AND TAKE BREAKS TOGETHER AT THE COUNTRY STORE. YOU MAY BE GONE FROM US IN BODY, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US IN OUR HEARTS. CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER US AND ONE DAY WE WILL WORK PATROL TOGETHER AGAIN.

Deputy Bill Lawrence
Cass County Sheriff Office
April 29, 2011

Scott, it may have been three years since you were taken from us, but you are definitely not forgotten. Your memory remains alive in many, many people's hearts.

Celeste Lunceford Havis
Friend and former co-worker
April 29, 2011

You will not be forgotten, Brother.

NLC, Special Agent
DHS/ICE/HSI (Texas)
March 18, 2011

Hey there babe. It's me. You have been on my mind so much lately. Everyday as a matter of fact. I love you more than you will ever know. They say time heals but for me the pain and hurt of losing you gets harder and harder. I just miss you so much. I cry everyday day for you. I look at our beautiful daughter everyday and thank God that we were able to share those brief 5 months together as a family. You were such a great father and everybody could see the pride in your face when you walked into a room holding Micah. There isn't one day that goes by that I don't remind Micah of how much you loved her and how proud you were of her. She always ask me when are you going to come home so she can hold you. It breaks my heart into. She always tells me that you are in her heart. She is so sweet and so wise for her age. I just can't imagine how much you would enjoy her. The three years we were together was and always will be the best three years of my life. I love you Scott. You were my heart. Thank you for being a loving husband and daddy. I love you!!

Michaela Burns
Wife
March 17, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
April 29, 2010

Scott, it has been almost two years since you were taken from us, but you are not forgotten. I pray that your family is doing as well as possible, and that Micah is beginning to learn more about what a wonderful person her father was. You are still missed every single day!

Celeste Lunceford Havis
Friend
April 26, 2010

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of Scott. It is still hard for me not to ask WHY??? I pray everyday to give my family the strength that is needed to make that day a little better than the day before.God bless every man and woman who have put their lives on the line for us and continue to do so everyday.

Anonymous
January 16, 2010

How ironic that when I looked at this site today, the most recent post I saw was from Kristy and Brandon Crow. That just goes to show you how much Scott was loved and what a tight group of people we were back in the 90s at Telford Unit. I think of Scott very often, and wonder how something this horrific could have happened to him. On this day before Thanksgiving, I give thanks for all the law enforcement officers out there who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe - and I send my prayers to Scott's entire family during this holiday season that will, once again, be very sad.

Celeste Lunceford Havis
Former friend/colleague; sister of Scott's DPS FTO
November 25, 2009

Its almost been a year and a half since that dreadful night .. I just hope to keep your memory strong .. so from time to time I look at this site, hopeing that other people too, contiunue to leave messages, so your memory will never fade... Your daughter needs to know how many friends you had, and how good of a man that you were ! We all miss you Beedie ... Thanks for all the great memories !

Kristy & Brandon Crow
Friend
September 20, 2009

I was honored last weekend to wear the name of Trooper James Scott Burns in the National Police Week 2009 5K run (sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors) in Washington, DC. The race, which circled the Capitol Building, was my first race ever, and wearing his name gave me great pride as well as strong motivation to do well.

Sincerely,
Peter

Peter Piazza
ASIS International
May 18, 2009

Trooper Burns, It will truly be an honor to ride for you in the 2009 Police Unity Tour. Rest in peace and Godspeed.

Ptl. Robert Stober
Branchburg Police Department (NJ)
May 7, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the first anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous
April 29, 2009

Scott, Michaela and Micah you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous
April 29, 2009

To Trooper James Scott Burns, his family and his fellow officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety-Texas Highway Patrol:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Trooper Burns’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Trooper Burns and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc.
Members & Staff
April 29, 2009

I Just wanted to let the family know we are still think of him and missing him as a friend even though it has been a year now since he left us. We will keep your memory strong... You are and always will be missed Beedie ...
Kristy & Brandon Crow

Kristy Crow
Friend
April 18, 2009

To the family of Trooper Burns,

My name is Mike Dilmore and I will be riding my bicycle in the Police Unity Tour this May to raise awareness of officer killed in the line of duty and the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial. I wanted to tell you that I will be riding the 250 miles to Washington DC in honor of Trooper Burns. I did not know Trooper Burns, but I appreciate and respect the sacrifice he made in the line of duty. I will be wearing a bracelet with his name on it during the ride, and would love to be able to meet you and present that bracelet to you at the Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2009. Please feel free to contact me.

God Bless you and your family,
~mike

Inv. Mike Dilmore
Tallahassee Police Department (Florida)
April 16, 2009

Never a day goes by when we all reflect on our brothers and sisters in law enforcement who have passed on in the line of duty. Even though we have never met we all are a part of our fabric.

We are one big uniform that never ends we all put our lives on the line for persons whom we may never know but there is one thing that can never break us apart we are family. And our badges link us together.

May you rest in Peace and God Bless your family and our
brothers and sisters of the Texas Highway Patrol.

Vince Iello
NYPD Retired
March 5, 2009

may god bless you and your loved ones. May he give them the strength to carry on. You are never forgotten. Rest in peace, hero!

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks 9-20-08

K.L.
February 27, 2009