Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Michael Van Kuren and Deputy Sheriff Christopher Burgert were shot and killed as they attempted to serve a warrant on Congdon Road near Laurel Hill Road.
They had responded to a private residence in Wells Township to serve an arrest warrant on a man for failing to appear in court to answer a minor charge. When the deputies arrived at the location, they were both shot and killed. Both officers were wearing their bullet-resistant vests but were stuck in areas not protected by the vest.
Two family members of the suspect were taken into custody at the scene. The suspect and another man who was at the scene during the incident fled. Both men were apprehended during a two-day manhunt. The shooter was convicted of murdering both deputies and sentenced to death.
Deputy Van Kuren had served with the Bradford County Sheriff's Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-DD67AFC4- 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 Van Kuren gave the Bradford County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Towanda community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Van Kuren.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Michael Allen Van Kuren 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bradford County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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. Michael Allen Van Kuren's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Allen Van Kuren Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Allen Van Kuren is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Allen Van Kuren was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bradford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
