Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Joseph Burtner was shot and killed after he had responded to a suicide call. He was ambushed by the man with an AK-47 after entering the house to check on his well-being. The suspect had left a suicide message as the greeting on his own answering machine and the police were notified after it was heard. Officer Burtner entered the house after 30 minutes of knocking on the door and other means of attention-getting. He attempted a forced entry with the approval of his sergeant and lieutenant, who were both at the scene. The suspect claimed self-defense and stated that he thought his house was being burglarized. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter, four counts of attempted murder, one count of armed robbery and sentenced to six consecutive life terms in prison. Officer Burtner had served with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for six months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-5CCFF98D- 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.
Officer Burtner served with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Burtner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Joseph Bruce Burtner 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, 11 of 30 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Bruce Burtner's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Bruce Burtner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Bruce Burtner is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Bruce Burtner was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
