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Incident
Night Marshal Sewell Burnett was shot and killed while making his rounds at approximately 4:15 am.
A citizen heard a gunshot in the area of the Beall hotel and located Marshal Burnett's body at the nearby intersection of Hale Avenue and Walnut Street. Two prominent citizens were arrested and charged with his murder, but were acquitted after three separate trials ended in hung juries.
Marshal Burnett had served with the Osceola Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Night Marshal Burnett gave the Osceola Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Osceola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Burnett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Osceola Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Sewell is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Sewell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Sewell 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 1919, 2 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sewell was 45. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Sewell had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Sewell was 45. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Sewell had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sewell was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sewell had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Sundays: 11.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Osceola Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Osceola Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Sewell among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Osceola Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
