Holly Springs Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 2021
Add to My HeroesJoseph William Burson
Police Officer Joe Burson succumbed to injuries sustained when he was dragged by a vehicle during a traffic stop of a speeding vehicle at about 11:00 pm.
He had stopped the vehicle on Hickory Road between Little Road and Hickory Hills Drive. At some point during the stop, the driver attempted to flee in the car and dragged Officer Burson alongside it. Officer Burson was able to fatally shoot the subject while being dragged but suffered severe injuries when he fell to the pavement.
Officer Burson had served with the Holly Springs Police Department for 18 months. He is survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 1 year, 6 months
- Badge 235
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Incident Date Wednesday, June 16, 2021
- Weapon Automobile
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 129 ReflectionsDuring Joe's time at Kennesaw State University, I served as one of Joe's professors. I also mentored Joe along his academic trek, and we became friends. As his professor and mentor, I found Joe to be an outstanding learner and highly motivated to serve his community. He was a sterling example of servant leadership and his probity set an example for all to emulate. Covid restrictions prevented me from being there when Joe was pinned as an officer and graduating from basic mandate training, but we stayed in touch. Joe is our first and hopefully only KSU CJ grad to die in the line of duty. Rest Easy Joe, we have the watch.
Stan Crowder, Ph.D.
Kennesaw State University Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
November 19, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas M. Weeks
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, US
EOW: April 29, 2024
Investigator William "Alden" Elliott
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, NC
EOW: April 29, 2024
Investigator Samuel Poloche
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, NC
EOW: April 29, 2024
Police Officer Joshua Eyer
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, NC
EOW: April 29, 2024
Police Officer Russell Croxton
Dubach Police Department, LA
EOW: April 27, 2024
Sergeant Ian Taylor
Billerica Police Department, MA
EOW: April 26, 2024
Police Officer Kyle Hicks
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: April 24, 2024
Investigator John Hampton Coddou, III
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 23, 2024
Police Officer Jordan Wingate
Oakland Police Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024