Evan Donald Burns
Agency patch
Patrolman

Evan Donald Burns

Caruthersville Police Department — Caruthersville, MO
Felonious
End of Watch August 16, 2011
Age 28
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 160 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Evan Burns was struck and killed by a stolen vehicle while attempting to deploy spike strips during a pursuit shortly after 12:30 am.

Deputies from the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Office had started pursuing a stolen SUV on I-55 that was being driven by a man wanted for an assault. The vehicle exited at Highway 84 and started driving towards Caruthersville.

Patrolman Burns and another officer began to setup spike strips on the roadway. When the stolen vehicle approached, the driver struck the first police car, injuring the officer, and then rammed the SUV broadside into Patrolman Burns' vehicle, killing him.

The driver was arrested and faces murder and assault charges.

Patrolman Burns had served with the Caruthersville Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He is survived by his 1-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-96449716
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.
Patrolman Burns gave the Caruthersville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Caruthersville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Burns.

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

Agency

Location Caruthersville, MO
Platform Identity carupd.pemiscot.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 16, 2011
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 28
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile
Offender Charged with murder

Patrolman Evan Donald 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Caruthersville Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Caruthersville Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
MO — Statewide
516
of 813 officers
63.5% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Evan Donald Burns's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Evan Donald Burns Compares

Age at End of Watch
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
2
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Charged with murder

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Evan Donald Burns is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Evan Donald Burns was killed by automobile.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Caruthersville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.