Incident
Deputy Con Burns was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man he observed to be under the influence of alcohol. When he approached the suspect the man pulled out a revolver and shot him. Deputy Burns did not have a chance to draw his own weapon.
On February 22, 1945, the shooter, 40, was convicted of murder with malice and sentenced to 25 years confinement. He was paroled on November 10, 1947.
Deputy Burns had served with the Lynn County Sheriff's Department for six years and two years with the Knox County Sheriff's Department.
Deputy Con Burns was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man he observed to be under the influence of alcohol. When he approached the suspect the man pulled out a revolver and shot him. Deputy Burns did not have a chance to draw his own weapon.
Deputy Burns had served with the Lynn County Sheriff's Department for six years and two years with the Knox County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-56E2578F- 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 gave the Lynn County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tahoka 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 Con Burns is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lynn County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Con Burns's cause is highlighted.
How Con Burns Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1947
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Con Burns is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Con Burns was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lynn County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
