Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Burns was shot and killed while he and four other deputies destroyed a large still of illegal whiskey. A man hidden in the woods opened fire on the deputies with a rifle and a shotgun, fatally wounding Deputy Burns. Deputy Burns was shot in the back several times.
The suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life, He was paroled on November 19, 1934.
Deputy Burns had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Deputy Burns had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-56BF2734- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Burns gave the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Idabel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Burns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John L. 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At McCurtain County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 8 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. John L. Burns's cause is highlighted.
How John L. Burns Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1934
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John L. Burns is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John L. Burns was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from McCurtain County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
