Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Gilbert Burleigh was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a man for stealing an automobile.
He had located the man at a country store in Cankton but allowed him to go to an outhouse in the rear of the building. After waiting several minutes, Marshal Burleigh called out to the man to come out. The man instead fired a pistol from the outhouse, striking Marshal Burleigh in the head.
On January 5, 1940, the suspect, 28, was found in a home near Newton, Texas, by the Jefferson County, Texas, Sheriff. As several Newton County deputies surrounded the home, the sheriff entered, and was forced to shoot and kill the suspect when he attacked him with a hammer.
Marshal Burleigh was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Marshal Burleigh was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-7BBBC25B- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Burleigh served with the Sunset Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sunset community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Burleigh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Gilbert Burleigh 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Sunset Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gilbert Burleigh's cause is highlighted.
How Gilbert Burleigh Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gilbert Burleigh is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gilbert Burleigh was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Sunset Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
