Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charlie Burns was killed in a vehicle crash on U.S. 54 about two miles east of Cedar Springs, Missouri, while he and another deputy were transporting three juvenile prisoners.
The juveniles had been arrested in Colorado and were being returned to Camden County as part of an auto-theft investigation. The patrol car struck another vehicle head-on after swerving to avoid a third vehicle that had turned onto the roadway in front of them. Deputy Burns and two of the prisoners, as well as an occupant of the other car, were killed in the crash.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
Chris Di Gerolamo Federal Air Marshal Service July 30th, 2021
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MO-90BFF8BB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Burns served with the Camden County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Camdenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles Lee Burns is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 237 of 813 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 29.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1.8 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Camden County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Lee Burns's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Lee Burns Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Lee Burns is highlighted in Dec.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Camden County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
