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Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Dick Burrus was shot and killed as he and a deputy attempted to question three brothers who were creating a disturbance at a church service in Owl City.
Several churchgoers had informed the other deputy about the disturbance. The deputy deputized Dick Burrus to assist him in arresting the three.
As the deputies walked the men out of the church one of the men suddenly drew a handgun and shot both of them. Special Deputy Burrus succumbed to his wounds the following day.
All three brothers were arrested and held in jail at Tiptonville. After Deputy Burrus' death the suspects were removed from the jail by a mob, returned to Owl City, and lynched inside of the church where they had shot the deputies.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Sheriff Burrus served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tiptonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Burrus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richard is the only officer of Lake County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Richard is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 7 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Richard had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Lake County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.