Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Irving Burkett succumbed to injuries sustained on July 25, 1982, when he was shot during an escape attempt from the Rocky Butte Jail in Portland.
On July 25, 1982, an inmate had a .22 caliber pistol smuggled into the jail. He and five other inmates held Deputy Burkett and another guard hostage while they prepared to escape. When Deputy Burkett broke away and sounded the alarm, the inmate shot Deputy Burkett in the head.
The felon was captured a month later and sentenced to 90 years in prison. He was denied parole in 2013 and died in prison in 2019. The other five inmates were sentenced to an additional 10-50 years.
Deputy Burkett was permanently disabled, with the bullet remaining lodged near his brain stem. He lost his eyesight and was unable to walk on his own. He died from complications of the wound on August 21, 2003.
The Rocky Butte Jail was closed and demolished in 1984.
Deputy Burkett had served with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-2D6FDBC1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Burkett gave the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burkett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Irving Lawrence Burkett 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 58.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Irving Lawrence Burkett's cause is highlighted.
How Irving Lawrence Burkett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Irving Lawrence Burkett is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Irving Lawrence Burkett was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Multnomah County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
