Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Marshal Earl Burkett was shot and killed in the city jail while attempting to search a man who had just been arrested. The suspect began a struggle with Deputy Marshal Burkett and shot the marshal through the left lung. The man was apprehended and charged with murder. The 19-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was pardoned October 29, 1953. Deputy Marshal Burkett had been employed with the Monahans Police Department for only six months at the time.
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- 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 City Marshal Burkett served with the Monahans Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Monahans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy City Marshal Burkett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy City Marshal Earl Burkett 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl Burkett's cause is highlighted.
How Earl Burkett Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1953
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl Burkett is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl Burkett was killed by gun; unknown type.