Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Alva Burnett was shot and killed around 6 p.m. after responding to a domestic disturbance for the second time in one day at a home on West Sioux Avenue near Charles Street. Prior to the second call, the suspect had doused his wife with gasoline and lit her on fire. Patrolman Burnett was attempting to talk to the suspect, who was standing in the doorway of the couple's home, when the man suddenly raised his 410-gauge shotgun and shot Patrolman Burnett. The suspect was killed at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Patrolman Burnett had served with the department for two years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SD-1D6D67C3- Stewardship
- 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.
Patrolman Burnett gave the Pierre Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pierre community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burnett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Alva H. Burnett is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,775 officers honored here.
In SD, 36 of 62 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this state's fallen. That is 58.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alva H. Burnett's cause is highlighted.
How Alva H. Burnett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alva H. Burnett is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alva H. Burnett was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Pierre Police Department are honored on badge.nw.