George Staples Burroughs
Agency patch
Officer

George Staples Burroughs

Greenville Police Department — Greenville, SC
Felonious
End of Watch May 6, 1921
Age 48
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
The Vigil Panel 41 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Burroughs was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call on Westfield Street. While at the scene he became engaged in a struggle with the suspect who beat him with a board and flower pot before shooting him in the abdomen. Within a few days the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In 1923 his sentence was commuted to life. Officer Burroughs had been with the agency for 12 years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-47BCE3BD
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Burroughs gave the Greenville Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Burroughs.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Greenville, SC
Platform Identity greenvillepd.greenville.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 6, 1921
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 48
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced commuted to life

Officer George Staples Burroughs 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Greenville Police Department, 11 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 91.7% of this agency's fallen.

Greenville Police Department
11
of 12 officers
91.7% Felonious
SC — Statewide
271
of 438 officers
61.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Staples Burroughs's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How George Staples Burroughs Compares

Age at End of Watch
48
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
12
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced commuted to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Staples Burroughs is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Staples Burroughs was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518