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John Thomas Burnette
Incident
Officer John Burnette and Officer Anthony Nobles were shot and killed after a foot chase with a suspect. The officers had stopped a suspicious van in an apartment complex. The suspect fled on foot into the woods surrounding the complex. When the officers entered the woods, the suspect attacked them and was able to disarm Officer Burnette. He then shot both officers. The officers were transported to Carolinas Medical Center by responding officers, where both were pronounced dead on arrival. The 32-year-old suspect was arrested nearby after a brief manhunt involving over 700 officers from various local, state, and federal agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina. He was later convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Officer Burnette had served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for two and a half years. He is survived by his mother, stepfather, and sister. The city of Charlotte named a park and two streets in honor of Officer Burnette and Officer Nobles.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, stepfather, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Burnette gave the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Burnette.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1993, 2 officers at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1993, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1993, 101 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1993, 110 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 53rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 25. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 34; the middle age was 31. John had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 25. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. John had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 25. 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. John had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 40% of these deaths at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department; April holds the most, 60%. Tuesdays: 40%.
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 7.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
