James William Burns

Bristol Police Department — Bristol, CT

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch May 29, 1941

Age 47

Tour of Duty 20 yrs

The Vigil Panel 77 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Officer Burns was shot and killed by his brother-in-law at a home on Union Street when he responded to a domestic disturbance. His partner was also shot and wounded. After a shootout with other officers on the scene the suspect was arrested. The 36-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life. Officer Burns was a U.S Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Bristol Police Department for 20 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother and eight siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CT-1A0B9C06
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrol Officer Burns gave the Bristol Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bristol community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Bristol Police Department

Location Bristol, CT

Platform Identity bpd.naugatuck.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 29, 1941

Tour of Duty 20 yrs

Age 47

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

James William Burns served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrol Officer James William Burns is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Bristol 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.

Bristol Police Department

of 5 officers

80% Felonious

CT — Statewide

of 169 officers

43.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious