Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Ira Burgess was shot and killed when he and a police captain responded to reports of a man threatening to kill his wife at 1446 Willow Street. When they arrived at the man's house they began to take cover but the man came out with a shotgun and opened fire. Patrolman Burgess was shot as he attempted to draw his pistol. The suspect was then shot and killed by a city workhouse guard who was supervising a nearby work crew. Patrolman Burgess had served with the Kingsport Police Department for five years and had previously served as a part-time deputy for the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office for 16 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-215E75E1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ira. 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Burgess gave the Kingsport Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Kingsport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burgess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ira H. Burgess 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kingsport Police Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ira H. Burgess's cause is highlighted.
How Ira H. Burgess Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ira H. Burgess is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ira H. Burgess was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Kingsport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
