Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Burden was shot and killed while responding to a robbery in progress in a residential area. Officer Burden and his partner arrived as the two suspects were fleeing the scene. During the ensuing shootout Officer Burden was mortally wounded and his partner was also wounded. Officer Burden succumbed to his wounds en route to the hospital. Both suspects were apprehended the next day.
Both suspects were convicted of Officer Burden's murder and sentenced to life. One died in prison in 1937. On August 17, 1939, the other suspect was released when the criminal court of appeals ruled that he was illegally convicted.
Officer Burden had served with the agency for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-997162CC- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Burden gave the Okmulgee Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Okmulgee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Burden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Robert L. Burden 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 Okmulgee Police Department, 4 of 4 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. Robert L. Burden's cause is highlighted.
How Robert L. Burden Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert L. Burden is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert L. Burden was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Okmulgee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
