Incident
Police Officer Michael Burson was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle and slid into the path of an oncoming vehicle. At the time of his death, he was escorting the widow of another police officer to her husband's funeral. Officer Burson had served with the Orlando Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Michael is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Burson gave the Orlando Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Orlando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Burson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Wayne Burson Sr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1966â1970) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Orlando Police Department has lost 16 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 315 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.3% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1990, 1 officer at Orlando Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1990, 3 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 37th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1990, 66 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1990, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 42. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Orlando Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.8 and 53; the middle age was 43. Michael had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Michael was 42. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 42. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 42. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Orlando Police Department; November holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 16 deaths at Orlando Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.3% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Orlando Police Department has 16 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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James W. Williams
Jan 1, 1876
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William Beasley Jan 1, 1885
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Egbert C. Moore
Aug 6, 1933
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Edward Tullis Winn, Jr.
Sep 13, 1935
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Harry Grassman Mason Feb 20, 1937
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John E. Owen
Aug 4, 1962
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Sidney Crenshaw
Nov 22, 1966
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Mitchell L. Nutter
Feb 10, 1968
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Terry N. Thuma
Jan 9, 1990
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Michael Wayne Burson Sr.
Jun 23, 1990
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Robert Joseph Montgomery
Nov 10, 1998
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George Stefan DeSalvia
Feb 3, 2000
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Tanja Brigitte King
May 18, 2000
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Alfred L. Gordon, Sr.
Oct 4, 2007
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Debra Lucinda Clayton
Jan 9, 2017
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Kevin Andres Valencia
Mar 15, 2021
Military Service
Michael Wayne Burson Sr. served in the U.S. Air Force (1966–1970) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael Wayne Burson Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Orlando Police Department are honored on badge.nw.












