Tennessee Department of Correction, Tennessee
End of Watch Saturday, February 11, 1978
Add to My HeroesRobert Burns
Officer Burns was shot and killed at a bus shelter at the intersection of Fourth Avenue North and Deaderick Street in Nashville. Officer Burns had just left work early because he was feeling ill and was waiting for a bus to arrive when a paroled inmate approached him.
The parolee had been disciplined by Officer Burns several months earlier and had been sent to the maximum security prison for 30 days as punishment. When the parolee asked Officer Burns if he remembered him he responded that he did not remember him. The suspect then produced a handgun and shot Officer Burns once in the chest, killing him.
The 53-year-old suspect, who was identified by several witnesses at the bus shelter, was arrested the following day and charged with murder. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 60 years. He was released in 2001 and died in 2003.
Officer Burns had served with the Tennessee Department of Correction for 3 years. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour 3 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to 60 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsCorrectional Officer Robert Burns will never ever be forgotten.
First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired.
New York State Police
August 10, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024