Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Joseph Bruce Burtner

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, December 12, 1995

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Reflections for Officer Joseph Bruce Burtner

Rest in peace Officer Burtner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 15, 2022

Officer Burtner,

Thank you for your selfless service to the community of Jacksonville, Florida. I have added you to my list of heroes as a result of your sacrifice, which may never be forgotten.

Rest easy.

Mohammed Alyasiri

October 13, 2022

I’d only been with the sheriff’s office two years when you were taken. It affected me more than I knew at the time. And although we never met, 27 years later I still think about it. Rest well.

Darren
JSO

October 13, 2022

I still think of you often..its been so long since we were kids. I miss you and love you..I will never forget you or let your memory go. I will never forget when your mom told me you was going to school to be a cop.. she was proud but she was scared for you..Rest easy. Gone but never forgotten.

Michelle
Friend

December 30, 2020

Officer Burtner,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Jacksonville. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 12, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Burtner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 30, 2019

Officer Burtner,

I remember that day as if it were yesterday. You were riding with some of my coworkers, but I was on a special assignment with DEA on wiretaps. Since I was on Watch 2, I had the radio on in my patrol unit enroute to 501. I heard everything as it started going down and I was just so overwhelmed by what I was listening to that I called a SWAT supervisor that was off duty and asked him if he knew about this. He hadn't but I know he jumped into his car and raced there in minutes time to help out however he was able.

I wish I had met you before that day. I'm sure you heard all of the praise and remembrances spoken of you at the funeral. The tall strong, well known trainer from the Academy with the tears in his eyes and voice as he spoke of you; it was all I could do to maintain composure as is required of an Honor Guard member.

You will always be remembered for saving the lives of many others on scene and are still spoken of to this day. You had your whole career before you and I'm sure would have been an excellent representative of JSO's finest... we will never forget

Officer
JSO

January 8, 2019

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

I was there that day Dec.12,1995 it forever changed me/Us! I remember seeing such a fine looking young man in that Blue uniform speaking to me!Don't know why The Good LORD put us all there that day, but he did, and he only took You! It could have been so many others that day! You "Joseph Burtner" will be a name I will never forget! And Now I thank God for that brief moment that you touched our life, and gave us a gift from you! Thank You to All who put their Life's on the line for us everyday! May the LORD protect and bring you all safely Home!

Anonymous

March 22, 2016

Joey, I come from a long and proud Law Enforcement Family, ( I proudly serve in the Judicial System). Our LEO's include one who is a JSO Sgt. I will never forget that day and think of you and your family often. Your service and sacrafice made and still makes an impact on so many of us.
I know you are standing with St. Michael, the Patron Saint of Police Officers.
As the newly proclamated Florida First Responders Appreciation Week approaches, I salute you and your family.
God Bless you all.

Anonymous

December 30, 2014

thinking of you...
your BLE classmates are purchasing a memorial brick in your honor at the Fallen Officer Memorial in front of the Jacksonville Arena.
God Bless you...

Assistant Chief
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (FL)

September 18, 2013

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all, and you sir are a hero. Continue to rest in peace Deputy Burtner.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

December 12, 2012

Joey, you will always be missed. It was an honor working in the same squad together.
Philippians 1:21.

Ptlm.
JSO Zone 5

February 14, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Burtner. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

Continue to rest in peace Deputy, we will never forget the sacrifice that you made for all of us. HEROES live forever, and you are a hero...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

December 12, 2011

Joey,
I think of you often...the good times that we shared as we went through the Academy, Corrections and eventually Police will always be great memories...it seems like only yesterday that we were fishing out at the Jetties. Until we meet again.

Friend and Asst. Chief
JSO

November 1, 2011

Safe in the arms of Jesus.

N. M. W.
Sister in Christ

August 12, 2011

Deputy Burtner, you sir are not forgotten, heroes do live forever...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

Anonymous

December 12, 2010

Hey Joe. Just wanted to say that you have truly not been forgotten. I can't believe it's been 14 years already. I have carried your memory in my heart every day of those 14 years. We are all so proud of you and miss you so much.

Anonymous

December 17, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 14th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 13, 2009

I went to school with you and I remember all the fun we had in middle and high school. You may be gone but you are not forgotten. We all still miss you and love you.

Anonymous

November 17, 2009

I was the dispatcher on the radio when Officer Burtner was killed. I will NEVER forget that day as long as I live. I thought at first I had two officers killed because of the confusion on the radio. I sat on the radio for 3 hours before I could even get up. A dispatchers greatest fear is to have this happen and I hold Joey in a special place in my heart. I never was fortunate to meet him, and only got to know him from a memorial service.

Officers are our heroes and always will be mine, especially since my father was a retired Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer.

Sgt. Phyllis Leonard
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office/Dispatcher

March 12, 2009

Hey Joe. Just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you today as always.

Anonymous

December 12, 2008

Joey,
Almost 11 years...I remember seeing you at work and us talking. And then the sorrow of escorting your wife to choose your resting place. You are remembered and missed. Rest well faithful Brother. "No greater love hath any man than to give his life for his Brother."

Sgt. G. L. Riggs
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office - Corrections

November 9, 2008

Happy birthday Joe.

March 12, 2008

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