Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Marshal William Burton was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two brothers who were causing a disturbance in a local saloon.
The saloon's owner had called for Deputy Marshal Burton after the two men became boisterous and refused to leave. Deputy Marshal Burton had placed one of the brothers under arrest when the other interfered and shot him twice, killing him. The man then beat Deputy Marshal Burton with a pistol before fleeing.
Both brothers were arrested by the town marshal. They both escaped from jail in November 1874 while awaiting trial.
Deputy Marshal Burton was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Marshal Burton was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-706DD9D2- 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
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Deputy Marshal Burton served with the Paris Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Marshal William A. Burton 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Paris 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. William A. Burton's cause is highlighted.
How William A. Burton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William A. Burton is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Paris Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
