Roll of Honor
Mark Jason Burbridge
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Mark Burbridge was shot and killed at the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs as he and another deputy returned two inmates to the jail after a court appearance.
As the deputies began to take the inmates into the jail, one of the inmates attacked him after using a concealed key to remove his shackles. The inmate obtained a firearm from the van and shot both deputies. He then stole the transport van and fled from the jail. He shot a citizen nearby when he attempted to carjack the man. He then abducted another citizen and forced her to drive him from the scene in her vehicle.
The subject was located by Omaha, Nebraska, police officers after releasing the woman. After a high-speed pursuit, he was taken into custody and charged with numerous felonies related to carjacking and weapons possession. The man had just been sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder.
On August 15th, 2017, the man was sentenced to life in prison for Deputy Burbridge's murder and related charges.
Deputy Burbridge had served with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, his mother, two brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-C459E6E9- 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 Burbridge gave the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Council Bluffs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burbridge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Mark Jason Burbridge 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mark Jason Burbridge's cause is highlighted.
How Mark Jason Burbridge Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mark Jason Burbridge is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mark Jason Burbridge was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
