Bradford County Sheriff's Office, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Add to My HeroesMichael Allen Van Kuren
Deputy Sheriff Michael Van Kuren and Deputy Sheriff Christopher Burgert were shot and killed as they attempted to serve a warrant.
They had responded to a private residence in Wells Township to serve an arrest warrant on a man for failing to appear in court to answer a minor charge. When the deputies arrived at the location, they were both shot and killed. Both officers were wearing their bullet-resistant vests but were stuck in areas not protected by the vest.
Two family members of the suspect were taken into custody at the scene. The suspect and another man who was at the scene during the incident fled. Both men were apprehended during a two-day manhunt. The shooter was convicted of murdering both deputies and sentenced to death.
Deputy Van Kuren had served with the Bradford County Sheriff's Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Bio
- Age 36
- Tour 10 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to death
Most Recent Reflection
View all 181 ReflectionsI am visiting Towanda and recently learned of Deputy Van Kuren's death in 2004. I am very sad to know this and am sending my condolences to the family of Michael Van Kuren. We are related but probably very distantly. My grandparents were Harry A. and Ethlyn Van Kuren who lived in Bradford County the entire lives; my father was Aubrey H. Van Kuren and my mother was Anita G. Van Kuren. I took a photo of the beautiful memorial tribute in the City of Towanda.
Jane Vankuren
relative
August 9, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Jeff Bain
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: January 3, 2021

Correctional Officer David A. Christensen
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: December 29, 2020

Lieutenant John Reynolds
Garden Grove Police Department, CA
EOW: January 17, 2021

Corrections Officer Joseph A. Martini
Ulster County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: January 17, 2021

Police Officer Arturo Villegas
Alamo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 10, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Jon Melvin
Grant County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: December 11, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Brandon Stalker
Toledo Police Department, OH
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Jay Hughes
Kalispel Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: January 6, 2021